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ROMANTIC DRAMAS; 

I. A Crown for a Song — Comedy; 
II. Miriam — tragedy. 



BY 

B. A. LOMAS. 




E. A. CARLEY 

PUBLISHER 
NEW YORK 






Copyright, 1915, 
By E. A. CARLEY. 



All Rights Reserved. 



c ^4.tfJ509 



Press of 

J. J. Little & Ives Co. 

New York 



NOV 20 1915 



'» 






I. 

A Crown for a Song; 
A Comedy in Four Acts. 



CHARACTERS. 



Henri, Prince of Languedoc. 

Count Raymond, his friend. 

Duke of Dauphine, uncle of Princess. 

Alphonse, minister of Princess. 

Rolando, an officer. 

Jean, 

Pierre, ^servants of Princess. 

Jacques, 

Gentlemen of the Court of Languedoc. 

Herald. 

Elise, Princess of Provence. 

Marie, daughter of Duke of Dauphine. 

Pauline, 

Marthe, 

Julie, 

SUSANNE, 

Brigette, 

Ladies of the Court of Provence, 



servants of Princess. 



IN EPILOGUE. 

Fairy Queen. 
Cupid. 
Hymen. 
Fairies. 

Time. — Thirteenth Century. 

Place. — Castle of the Princess in Provence. 

Costumes. — Of Middle Ages. 

Bight and left refer to the actor standing on the 
stage, facing the audience. 

The Prince and Rolando should resemble each 
other in height and build. 

As the singers are mashed in Act III profes- 
sional singers can be used in place of the actors. 

Act I. — Morning. 

One week elapses. 
Act II. — Morning. 

One hour elapses. 
Act III. — Afternoon. 

One day elapses. 
Act IV. — Morning. 



ACT I. 

Scene. — Reception room in Castle. 

Large doors at rear, and at the right, and at left. 

Time, morning. 

(As curtain rises, Pierre, Jean, Pauline, Marthe, 
and other servants of the Princess are seen stand- 
ing in a crowd at centre. Monsieur Alphonse 
stands facing them.) 



Alphonse. Now, then, let ev'ry man and ev'ry 
maid, 

Who in this palace works, lend me 
their ears. 
Marthe. Not I (feeling her ear). 
Pierre. I'm no such ass. 

Pauline. Our ears indeed! I'd be a pretty 

sight without my ears. 
Jean. You'd lose a large part of your head 

in truth. 
Pauline. Who has ears hears. Who has large 

ears hears much. 



8 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



Jean. Yes; and it's little that escapes your 

ears. 
Alphonse. 'Tis a poetic form of speech I used, 
"When I asked for your ears. I have 
my own. 
Pauline. God knows you have ! 
Pierre. "When ears were given out you did not 

hide behind the door. 
Alphonse. I would but borrow yours to pour 
therein 
Some sense, for I'm not Midas, you 

must know, 
And I would not desire ears like 
yours. 
Pierre. {To Pauline.) Who's Midas? , 

Pauline. I never knew the man. He must 
have come from some far distant 
town. 
Pierre. {To Alphonse.) Who's Midas? 

Alphonse. He was a king, who wore a donkey's 

ears. 
Jean. He was an ass. 

Pauline. No more than other men, who wear 

such ears, and there be plenty here. 
Jean. The women here were made to match 

the men. 
Alphonse. I've called you here with serious in- 
tent. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



Pierre. 



Jean. 
Pauline. 

Alphonse. 



Pauline. 
Marthe. 

Jean. 

Pauline. 
Alphonse. 

Marthe. 

Jean. 

Pierre. 

Alphonse. 



But if you tell of men, who, just for 

fun, wear asses' ears, why one must 

laugh. 

That's laughing matter. 

That's true, but not to him who wears 

the ears. 

Let trifling cease! For business we 

are here. 
Now, mark my words ! The Princess 

has decreed 
That ev'ry servant, whom her palace 

holds, 
Shall say, whate'er they wish to say, 

in verse. 
What is that? 

Shall speak in verse! I know no 
verse. 

Is it a foreign tongue that we must 
speak ? 

What is it that we speak? 
Why all I've ever heard you speak is 

prose. 
'Tis prose we speak it seems. 
Well, I like prose. 

Tell us what is this verse you'd have 
us speak ? 
That's very simple. 'Tis the choicest 

words, 



10 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



Pauline. 
Pierre. 

Jean. 

Marthe. 
Pauline. 



Jean. 

Alphonse. 



Arranged with taste in a melodious 
way 

So as to please our ears with har- 
mony. 

Thus if you 'd say : The cows went 
home at eve 

In verse, you put it thus: The low- 
ing kine, 

As glowed the western sky with ev'- 
ning's red, 

With laggard steps and softly tin- 
kling bells, 

Moved 'fore the herdsman to their 
resting place. 

Go to with lowing kine! 

And resting place ! Call you a dirty 

shed a resting place? 

I'm no such fool, and I'll not change 

our cows to lowing kine. 

And I'll not try. 

"Well, no such rigmarole will I at- 
tempt. The cows went home at eve 

has served my turn till now. Bah for 

your kine ! 

And bah for evening red and resting 

place ! 

Do as you please. The Princess has 
decreed 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



11 



Pauline. 

Jean. 

Marthe. 
Alphonse. 



Pierre, 
Alphonse. 



Pauline. 
Jean. 
Pauline. 
Pierre. 



Jean. 



That all, who work for her, shall speak 

in verse. 
And shell not change her mind I 

think yon 11 find. 
I think shell find that clever cooks 
don't grow on every bush. 
And every fool can't drive the royal 
steeds. 

But if we don't? 
Why then, forthwith, you'll have to 

leave this place, 
And other servants will essay your 

tasks. 
But if we can't? 

Why ev'rybody can, if he will try. 
Verse comes by Nature, men are poets 

born ; 
And ev'ry man can his own poet be, 
As well as he can his own shoeblack be. 
Well I speak prose. 
And wretched prose. 
Mayhap, but it's no worse than thine. 
Well, I'm too old a dog to learn new 
tricks, and I learned prose when, at 
my mother's knee, I first began to 
speak. 

Why so did I. Now that I come to 
think of it, why so did I. 



12 ROMANTIC DRAMAS 

Marthe. Well all my people— very respect- 
able people too — always spoke in 
prose. 
Alphonse. All that the Princess means to change 
at once. 
Shell make Provence a land of mel- 
ody, 
And she 11 begin the work in her own 

home. 
Her cooks shall talk in pleasing meta- 
phors, 
And from her housemaids' lips shall 

verses drop, 
As pearls from Grissel's lips in fairy 
tale. 
Pauline. This is no order that the Princess 
made of her own thought. Tis you 
who so decreed. 
Jean. 'Tis you who planned this scheme. 

Marthe. That's so. 'Tis you. 
Pauline. And well have our revenge. 
Pierre. Be sure of that. 

Pauline. 1 11 put soap in your soup, salt in your 
tea, and serve you up the trail for 
every meal. 
Marthe. And 1 11 spread sawdust between your 

sheets. 
Jean. And, when you take an airing in the 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



13 



coach, 1 11 bump you into every thank- 
you-ma 'am. 

(All are shaking their fists at Al- 
phonse, who calmly twists his mus- 
tache — Enter Duke at rear and ad- 
vances — All bow to him.) 
Duke. Hola! What's going on below the 

stairs ? 
Pauline. Please you, my lord, he says that I 
must bake, and mix my soups, and 
boil my meats in verse. 
Duke. Rubbish! What's more prosaic than 

a stew, 
Or less poetical than mutton hash? 
Eubbish I say! Who'd dine on 
poetry ? 
Pauline. Why, so say I, my lord. Yet he'd 

make poets out of kitchen folk. 
Alphonse. The Princess has decreed to that 

effect. 
Duke. Decreed! Why, sir, good victuals 

need no verse. 
They '11 tickle any stomach that craves 

food, 
Call them by whatsoever name you 

please, 
So that you call them while the hun- 
ger serves. 



14 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



{To servants.) 

Go now ! 1 11 to the Princess speak of 
this. 
Pauline ( going ) . Verses ! 
Jean {going). The lowing kine! 

Pierre {going) . As glowed the Western sky ! 

{Exeunt all servants at right.) 
Duke. Bad prose is all that one can get from 

them. 
Alphonse. You'll find the Princess firm. 
Duke. How know you that ? 

Alphonse. Why, I 'm her minister of poetry. 
Duke. Great Heavens, have we come to such 

a state 
That kings have ministers of poetry? 
Alphonse. That branch of government I have in 

charge. 
Duke. So you're her minister of poetry. 

Why I 've believed, since first I grew a 

beard, 
That 'twas the finance minister, who 

showed 
Imagination for the cabinet, 
When, from a deficit of monstrous 

size, 
He would evolve a surplus — in his 

dreams. 
But minister of poetry's a joke 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



15 



To make the gargoyles on the chapel 
laugh. 
Alphonse. I serve the Princess as such minister ; 
And here she comes. Ask her if I 
speak true. {Enter at right ladies 
of the Court singing; the Princess 
and Marie follow them.) 
Ladies. (Sing as they slowly advance.) 

There 's the rose in the realms on high 

Of the day that's newly born, 
And the flowers are lifting their 
blooms to the sky, 
All wet with the jewels of morn. 
And it's ho for the glowing sun! 
And it's ho for the day begun! 
And gladly we'll sing 
All the joys it will bring, 
Before its course is run. 



Hear the song of the babbling brook, 

That it sings to welcome day, 
As it wanders around each pleasant 
nook, 

That it meets upon its way! 
Hear the birds, that are floating high, 
With their melody fill the sky, 

While the sough of the breeze, 

As it ruffles the trees, 



16 

Princess. 

Marie. 
Princess. 



Duke. 

Princess. 
Marie. 



Princess. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 

Adds its note as the wind sweeps by ! 

(Advancing with Marie.) 

How like you, Marie dear, our morn- 
ing lay? 

'Tis charming, like all else within 
your realm. 

This is the land of poetry and song, 

And so we sing at morn. 

(Ladies move to right and Duke is 
disclosed.) 
Why there's the Duke! 

Your father's here. 

(To Duke.) Good welcome, uncle 



mine 



But you'll not take your Marie home. 

(All at centre, except ladies who are 

at right.) 

Why no, 
If she shall choose to stay. 
(To Marie.) You'll stay, my dear? 
I'll surely stay, for I've scarce seen 

your land, 
And I would see its beauties far and 

near. 
You'll not wear out your welcome 

should you stay 
A twelvemonth and a day. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



17 



Marie. 


Perchance I'll test 




Your patience to the uttermost. 


Duke. 


But, niece, 




"What means this wondrous joke that 




I've just heard? 


Princess. 


A joke! And told by whom? Mon- 




sieur Alphonse? 




He is not noted for his pleasan- 




tries. 


Duke. 


Yes, that 's the man. He told the won- 




drous joke 




As calmly as the clock ticks out the 




hours. 




"When I arrived I found your servants 




here, 




And by Monsieur Alphonse the crowd 




was bid 




To speak in verse. 


Marie. 


Why, that is marvelous, 




That kitchen-folk should speak in 




poetry. 


Princess. 


Not so. For, in the golden age in 




Greece, 




Each shepherd wooed his shepherdess 




in verse. 




{To Alphonse,) 




Is that not so? 


Alphonse. 


So say all learned men. 



18 ROMANTIC DRAMAS 

Princess. And, in our golden age, Provence was 

famed 

As an abiding place of art and song. 

And I would bring that golden age 

again. 

Duke. And make your peasant speak in 

verse ? 
Princess. Why, yes. 

Marie. But, when I rode with you, I saw 

green fields 
"With lush grain filled, and trees with 

rip'ning fruit, 
And meadows rich with grass. 
Duke. Why, that's Provence, 

A land where Nature's lavish in her 
gifts. 
Princess. Provence indeed 's a land where Na- 
ture smiles, 
But 'tis also a land of song and art. 
And from Provence, in ev'ry century, 
Have wandered troubadours, with lute 

and song, 
Through all the realms of Christen- 
dom, 
And taught their melodies to ev'ry 
race. 
Duke. The merest idlers of an idle hour, 

Who waste our time. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



19 



Marie. 0, not so bad as that ! 

For music after all is a delight, 
And gives a foretaste of elysium. 
Princess. And they have filled the world with 
happiness 
By singing their enchanting melodies, 
Where'er they went, and glorified my 

land; 
And so I'd have my subjects fond of 
art. 
Duke. Then there'll be little grain and less 

of fruit, 
If Jean and Jeanne give up their time 
to song. 
Marie. I scarce see how you'll make so great 

a change, 
For there are few, who have the gift 
of song. 
Princess. My minister, Monsieur Alphonse, 
maintains 
That music's hid in ev'ry mortal's 

breast, 
And men can all be taught to speak 

in verse, 
And he will teach my subjects poetry. 
Duke. I wish him luck. 

Princess. (To Alphonse.) 'Twill not be diffi- 
cult? 



20 
Alphonse. 



Princess. 

Duke 

Princess. 



Marie. 



Princess, 
Duke. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 

Why, 'tis but to select one's words 

with, care; 
And in six months, I 'm sure, 1 11 have 

good verse 
So common in your land, that, let one 

speak 
In prose, he'll be a thing to ridicule, 
Like some fair maid, enrobed in last 

year's style, 
"Who flaunts her finery as if 'twere 

new. 

As such a charity 

(interrupting) . A charity ! 

"Why, 'tis a charity to make the world 
Sing as it goes, both at its work and 

play, 

Just as the lark, that soars the sky 
at morn, 

Or our sweet nightingale, that sings 
at eve. 

To make men from their lips drop 
pearls, not toads, 

You mean. 

That's right. 

Why, it's all craziness, 

The madness that's akin to lunacy. 

Your Kingdom will be topsyturvy- 
dom. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



21 



Princess. As such a charity should start at home 
I've started with my help. 
(To Alphonse.) You'll teach them 
soon ? 
Alphonse. Within a month they'll scrub and 

wash and cook 

Duke. And quarrel? 

Alphonse. Yes, and quarrel, in good 

verse. 
Marie. As good as one expects mayhap from 

cooks. 
Duke. (To Alphonse.) I wish you luck. 

Princess. (To Alphonse.) Let us not waste 
your time 
That should be given to your noble 

task. 
You have my leave. 
(Alphonse bows, and goes off at right.) 
Duke. (To Princess.) I wish you luck, good 

niece. 
But, when that haps, why hens will 

crow at dawn, 
And tabby-cats bay at the moon and 

geese 

Marie. "Why geese, like swans, will sing a 

dying song. 
I hope your rule does not apply to 
guests. 



22 
Duke. 



Princess. 



Duke. 



Princess. 
Duke. 

Marie. 



Princess. 
Duke. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 

Now, Heaven forbid, for I'm no 

nightingale ! 
There's not a whit more music in my 

voice 
Than in a rusty sign, that, in the wind, 
Discordant screeches at a tavern's 

door. 
'Tis only our Provencals who must 

sing. 
And Marie may talk prose, and you 

may speak 
Of anything you please in any way. 
That privilege reminds me, gentle 

niece, 
That I have business here, that will 

not bide. 
And now we're wasting time on 

poetry. 
With me? 

With you, and 'tis of grave 

import. 
Of grave import! That's surely war 

or funds; 
For naught's of grave import save 

war or cash. 
What is this business grave that will 

not wait? 
Marriage ! 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



23 



Princess. Oho ! List, Marie, to his words ! 

He talks of marriages. 
Marie. They're no bad thing 

It seems to me. 
Princess. He says they will not wait. 

Duke. There's nothing strange in that, for, 

if you'd wed, 
Why then the sooner done, the better 
done. 
Marie. Well 'tis of grave import that maidens 

wed, 
And lovers will not wait. 
Duke. Nor will the maids. 

Princess. 'Tis grave in truth, but we are seek- 
ing fun. 
Marie. Well, isn't marriage fun? 

Princess. Why, oft it is. 

And sometimes it's a game, where 
both can laugh. 
Duke. But ofttimes he laughs best who 

laughs the last. 
Marie. 'Twould not be funny, if one should 

not wed. 
Princess. But serious if one should. 
Duke. Why ev'ry maid, 

Of healthy mind, is looking for a 

man, 
And faith she'll catch him too. 



24 


ROMANTIC DRAMAS 


Marie. 


Well, I would wed, 




And take a chance. 


Princess. 


Well, surely if you wed, 




You'll take a chance. 


Marie. 


'Tis called a lottery. 


Princess 


And, like all lotteries, it holds more 




blanks 




Than it holds prizes. Uncle, tell thy 




news ! 




For, though a maiden may not care 




to wed, 




It is an honor that one seeks her out, 




And offers unto her his hand and 




heart ; 




And, as you say the business will not 




wait, 




Why then unfold the secret that you 




bear. 


Duke. 


The Prince of Languedoc would wed 




with you, 




And sends me here as his ambassador. 


Marie. 


I'm glad, for Henri is a gallant 




Knight. 


Princess. 


You know this Prince? 


Marie. 


Why, passing well. 


Duke. 


Of course. 




Since childhood almost has she known 




the Prince. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



25 



Princess. What is he like? 
Marie. 0, he's a charming Prince. 

Princess. With perfumed locks, entwisted into 
curls, 
And eyes too languid to observe a 

maid, 
And features that would fit a woman 's 

face, 
Just touched with red and white to 

hide their hue, 
And dawdling ways, as if but half 

awake, 
And mustache, that he twists to say 

Aha? 
Bah, bah! There's no red blood in 
such a man. 
Marie. Not so! Not so! He is a soldier 

tried, 
Bold as a lion, gentle as a girl, 
Who has his devoir done on bloody 

fields, 
And won his spurs amid the din of 
war. 
Duke. He is a very noble gentleman, 

And Languedoc's a very noble 

realm 
To add to thine. 
Princess. Perchance, all that is true. 



26 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



Duke. 



Marie. 
Princess. 



Marie. 



But, Princess though I am, I'm 

woman too, 
And have the ev'ry thought of wom- 
ankind ; 
And there's romance in life, that I 

would taste 
As eagerly as any low-born maid. 
Why that is what I offer unto you. 
What's more romantic than to wed a 

Prince ? 
When he's a gallant gentleman? 

In truth 
I would be wed, not sold. I would be 

wooed, 
Not offered as a dot to one, who' seeks 
To magnify by marriage his estate. 
Have you not seen, that, when the 

birdlings pair, 
The wooing bird seeks eagerly ite 

mate, 
Not sends another to declare its wish ? 
A woman fit to wed is fit to woo. 
That's ev'ry woman's wish. For who 

would wed 
Till she had known the joy of being 

wooed ? 
Without it matrimony would be flat 
As soup without the pungency of salt. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



Duke. Told I you not that there was cause 

for haste? 
Scarce have you asked that you be 

wooed, when — hark 

(Sound of bell outside.) 

The Prince is knocking loudly at your 

door 
In eager haste to offer you his love. 
(Curtains at door at rear raised, and 
Prince, Raymond, and others dis- 
closed.) 
Servant (announcing). The Prince of Lan- 

guedoc ! 
Prince. (Advancing, followed by others.) 

I pray you, Princess, that you 11 par- 
don grant 
For our intrusion here. 
Princess. Most freely come! 

I beg you enter, and I welcome you. 
(Ladies of Court of Provence at 
right.) 
Prince. And here's Count Raymond. He's 
my nearest friend. 
And here are gentlemen, part of my 

court. 
(All bow.) 
Princess. I bid you all good welcome, gentle- 
men. 



28 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



Eaymond. 
Marie. 



Prince. 



Duke. 



And may you find Provence a place 

of joy. 
I pray you, ladies, welcome them as 

friends. 
(Men move over to ladies at right, 
bow and converse and stroll off at 
right.) 
(To Marie.) 

At least to you I am already known. 
And always welcome wheresoe'er we 

be. 
(Raymond and Marie move up and 
down at rear. Princess, Prince, 
and Duke at front.) 
Of one, who comes unbidden and' un- 
known, 
'Tis fit, fair lady, you should some- 
thing learn. 
I see good friends, who'll kindly 

speak for me, 
As good friends ever should, else why 

be friends? 
(To Duke.) 
I'm sure, my lord, you'll warrant I'm 

a man 
Of honest thoughts. 

There is no better man 
In any land. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



29 



Prince. My lord, your words are kind. 

And Marie here will say a word for 

me. 

Marie. Ay, many a word as oft as there be 

need 

I'll say for you, and goodly words 

also; 
For all through life, since first we 

played 
In childish games, I've found you 
brave and true. 
Raymond. And, if the word of one, who has 
through life 
Fought by his side, and known his 

ev'ry thought, 
Has aught of weight then will I boldly 

say 
There is on earth no nobler gentleman. 
Prince. I have good friends, I see. 

Princess. Indeed you have. 

And he, who has good friends, has in 

himself 
Some noble traits, else he'd not have 
such friends. 
Prince. There, Princess, I have brought my 

witnesses 
To my repute. 
Princess. Of that there was no need. 



30 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



For, through our land is thy repute 

well known 
As gallant Knight and noble gentle- 
man; 
And, as haps ever with all honest 

men, 
The thoughts, that rise within your 

breast, are writ 
Upon your face in tokens all can 

read. 
Prince. Fair Princess, you o'erwhelm me with 

your praise. 
You say to modesty be not too shy, 
And thus embolden me to state my 

suit, 
If you will list. 
Princess. Why, I will gladly list. 

So say whate 'er you please, for I well 

know 
You'll say naught that's not fit. 
Duke. Be sure of that. 

The boy was brought up in a home, 

wherein 
The courtesies of life make life itself. 
Prince. Throughout my realm all men speak 

in your praise; 
And so I've journeyed to your native 

land 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



31 



Princess. 
Prince. 



Princess. 



To humbly beg you 11 let me dwell 

near you, 
As dwell the twinkling stars beside 

the moon, 
And drink your beauty in, and hear 

your tones, 
That fall upon the ears like rippling 

brooks 
A-dancing through the groves in sum- 
mer-time, 
And watch the graceful movements of 

your form, 
As, like a Princess, you sweep through 

your rooms, 
Or, like a fairy, wander in your 

groves. 
'Tis you that now o'erwhelms one 

with your praise. 
Nay; when the sky is studded with 

bright stars, 
Or when the sun shines brightly in 

the east, 
And one is fervent in his praise of 

them, 
One praises not o'ermueh. 

I like your way 
Of finding arguments in heaven's 

blue, 



32 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



And lifting thought above the mirk 

of earth 
To the Empyrean. 
Prince. The subject lifts 

The thought. 
Marie. He has a pretty turn of 

speech. 
Duke. That women like. 

Prince. Believe that I'm sincere. 

For, hearkening to the rumors of thy 

worth, 
And of thy beauty, spread through- 
out my land, 
I've journeyed here to find that 

Eumor, e'en 
Though fabled to possess a thousand 

mouths, 
Lacked words enough to truly spread 
# Thy praise ; 

And so overwhelmed am I with your 

deserts, 
That I scarce dare to lift my thoughts 

to you. 
Howe'er he little wins who little 

dares, 
And so I beg you'll let me dwell near 
you. 
Princess. I am beholden to your courtesy, 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



33 



That praises much where little praise 
is due. 
Duke. What he has said's well said. 

JIarie. I think so too. 

And what is better yet 'tis truly said. 
Duke. But one may show a too great mod- 

esty; 

And modesty as garb becomes no 
prince, 

If he can to his wooing bring aught 
else. 

Now here's a Prince, and he is fit to 
wed, 

And here's a Princess, fit. Why 
should they not? 
Princess. Permit then, Prince and uncle, that 
I say 

This fair Provence of mine has fa- 
mous grown 

For melody and verse. Its singers 
went 

Through ev'ry land, like nightingales 
that fly 

From North to South, and make the 
heavens ring 

With their delicious melodies at eve; 

And I would make my native land 
once more 



34 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



A rival to its past, a home of song, 
And have my people sing at work 
and play. 
Prince. But I too am a worshipper of art, 

And I would gladly lend my utmost 

aid 
To make your land the home of trou- 
badours. 
Duke. Why, ev'rybody would. I'd let them 

sing, 
Provided 'tis not in my ears they 
sing. 
Princess. I am a Princess only by my birth, 

And that my progeny may princes be, 
Not only by their birth but through 

their art, 
I'd wed a man, who is a Prince of Art. 
Prince. Whate 'er his state ? 
Princess. There are high ranks in art 

As well as in the world of politics, 
And he, who, in the realm of poesy, 
Can easily competitors outrank, 
Is Prince as much as one to purple 
born. 
Duke. Tut, tut! He'd be a prince of rub- 

bishtown. 
Marie. And wear a donkey's ears upon his 

crown. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



35 



Princess. Yet out of nothing but a flash of 
hought, 
That moves as swiftly as the light- 
ning's bolt, 
He forms a mimic world, ethereal 
As snowy clouds, that float in azure 

skies, 
And peoples it with shades, so human- 
like 
That at their actions we or laugh or 

cry, 
Joy if they live, and sorrow if they 
die. 
Duke. That is the rankest sort of heresy. 

Marie. Poets are well enough. 

Duke. Yes, in their place. 

Princess. Still, if a man by any phase of art 

Can lift his fellows' minds out of the 

rut 
Of common life, can fill their souls 

with thoughts 
That raise them up far, far above the 

beast 
Until they gain their birthright, and 

become 
A little lower than the angels are, 
He is much nobler than the warrior, 
Or than the legislator, or the priest. 



36 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



Duke. 


Rank heresy! 


Prince. 


Not so have humans judged 




In all the centuries the world has 




lived. 


Duke. 


Nor ever will. 


Princess. 


Then I would make a change. 




And I would wish the throne on which 




I sit- 




To be a poet's heritage. 


Duke. 


You jest. 




You make my blood run icy in my 




veins. 




A poet never sat upon a throne. 


Princess. 


Well, I have planned a tournament of 




song, 




In which the troubadour, who writes 




and sings 




The sweetest song, shall wedded be 




to me, 




And sit upon my throne. 


Duke. 


'Tis sacrilege, 




Or else midsummer-madness on your 




part. 


Marie. 


You cannot mean that you will wed a 




man 




Because he sweetly sings. 


Raymond. 


Whatever his state? 


Princess. 


That's what I mean. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



37 



Duke. 
Prince. 



Raymond. 



Duke. 



Prince. 
Eaymond. 



Princess. 



Madness ! 

It seems in truth 
As if you'd take a leap out in the 

dark, 
With nothing for a guide, for it may 

hap 
That Fate may choose a man not fit 

to wed, 
And yet you will be bound with him 

to wed. 
Though he be vulgar in his life and 

tastes 
As is a ribald clown. 

'Twill happen so. 
It never fails that, when a thing's 

well done, 
'Tis done by some one of the common 

herd, 
Save fighting, where we hold our own 

as yet. 
The Duke is surely right. 

'Twill be some clown, 
Devoid of manners and of taste, 

who'll win. 
Nay, none can make a song, so deftly 

formed 
That it can fill all human souls with 

joy, 



38 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



And sing it in such soft, melodious 

strains, 
That it can play upon the human 

heart 
Until the hearer's breast pants with 

delight 
At music, that seems made by angel's 

lips, 
And not be fit to wed with any queen. 
Duke. Go to! Go to! I've known a trou- 

badour, 
Whose voice so lovely was that he 

could charm 
Gold from a miser's bag, who was a 

lout. 
Eaymond. And many poets are a scurvy lot, 

"Who revel with the fruits of beggary. 
Princess. Nay, nay! I'll not believe that all 

that's pure, 
And noble, and refined fills not the 

soul 
Of such a man ; and he is born a King, 
Who has such feelings throbbing in 

his breast. 
What say you, Prince? 
Prince. 'Tis not experience 

That fathers such a thought. 
Duke. Indeed, 'tis not! 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



39 



Raymond. Why idle poets all the taverns fill, 

And 'twang their lutes for hini, who 11 
fill their pots. 
Marie. I've heard that some wear motley 

that 's in rags. 
Princess. Perchance there may be such. I none 
have seen. 
Nor will I think a soul, that can give 

birth 
To noble thoughts, will thus itself de- 
grade. 
Prince. I hope lis but the fancy of a maid, 

That passes through her mind and 

flits away, 
As rise the clouds and float across the 

sky 
Until they fade away in nothingness. 
Duke. It makes my blood within my veins 

run cold 
As if an icicle lay 'gainst my spine. 
And my dead brother would turn in 

his grave, 
If he could know his child would so 
descend. 
Marie. I hope lis a vagary you 11 forget. 

Raymond. The idle fancy of an idle hour. 
Prince. Or some gay fantasy that Time will 

raze. 



40 ROMANTIC DRAMAS 

Princess. Nay, you mistake. My thought has 
riped to act. 
And I have sent a message to the 

world, 
Inviting all, who choose to make essay, 
To come here to my palace this day 

week; 
And till that day I ask you all to bide, 
And be my judges in the tournament. 
Duke. It must not be. Why it's devoid of 

sense. 
Princess. What say you, Marie dear? 
Marie. Why I will bide ; 

But I'd not put my fate at such a 
risk. 
Raymond. A clown is like to win as is a king. 
Princess. And you, my uncle, will you also stay ? 
Duke. I must. This scheme my honor 

touches close. 
The devil's in a woman when she 

may, 
In her affairs, have her own wilful 
way. 
Princess. {To Prince.) 

I Ve heard that you have music in 

your soul. 
Wilt thou make essay in my tourna- 
ment, 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



41 



Prince. 



Raymond. 



Marie. 



Duke. 



In which a kingdom is the prize — and 
me? 

"Why, in my land, we too have trouba- 
dours, 

Who rank in honor high as in your 
clime, 

And e'en the princes there by them 
are taught; 

So that I can indifferently sing, 

And more indifferently rhyme. 

My prince, 

You do yourself injustice with your 
speech ; 

For I have often heard you sing so 
sweetly, 

That I am sure the soaring nightin- 
gales, 

Surprised, fell silent and listened to 
your song. 

You do indeed, for I have heard you 
sing 

In such delightful strains that e'en 
my heart 

Leaped in my breast in ecstasy. 

That's 
true. 

The boy can sing as well as any poet 
born, 



42 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



E'en if he were the offspring of a 

churl. 
Princess. I am so glad of that. I hope my hand 
Is not so worthless that you will not 

strive ? 
Prince. I would not wish to win the maid I '11 

wed 
By aught so adventitious as a song. 
There should be something nobler in 

a man 
Than a melodious voice, or that mere 

skill, 
That helps to weave his language into 

verse, 
To make him worthy of a Princess 

born, 
Who's worthy of the throne on which 

she sits; 
And so I would not win you by a 

song. 
But lest some other should,— and that 

I may 
Have still a chance to show regard for 

you — 
Why I'll essay. 
Princess. Who knows that you '11 not win ? 

Raymond. He's sure to win. 
Duke. Pray Heaven that he may ! 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



43 



Marie. You have our hopes. 

Prince. {To Princess.) The hopes of ev'ry 

one? 
Princess. That may not be, for 'tis a tourna- 
ment 
Begot by me. I must the balance 

hold, 
As Justice does, and let it lean to 

none 
Until the trial's o'er, the verdict's 

heard. 
{Bell outside sounds.) 
Princess. And now I beg you all to break your 
fast. 
The bell invites us to the morn's re- 
past. 
{Ladies and Gentlemen at right at 
door. The Princess, and Duke, and 
Prince, and Raymond, and Marie 
move towards the door at right. 
Meanwhile the ladies sing.) 
Ladies. {Sing.) 

Hear that bell, 
The music of that bell! 
Through ev'ry room and ev'ry hall 
It clearly sounds its morning call, 
And gaily summons one and all. 
Hear that bell ! 



44 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 

Hear the music swell 

Of that bell! 
That sound each morning has its birth, 
And swiftly rolls around the earth, 

And tells, 

On mountains and in dells, 

To ev'ry one, who on Earth dwells, 
The story of the morning's birth, 

That breakfast bell. 

Curtain. 



ACT II. 



Scene. — Same as Act I. 
Time — Morning. 

(Enter Prince and Princess at right and move 
towards center.) 

Princess. To-day the hours wear their leaden 
shoes, 
"With which they move so slowly that 

the day 
Drags on as lazily as wearied ox 
Goes o'er his course. 
Prince. We should not urge old Time 

To haste his pace, for ev'ry step he 

takes 
Bears us a little nearer to that end 
All mortals dread. 
Princess. no, I 'd not urge Time ! 

If I could have my way I 'd rival e 'en 
The wand 'ring Jew, and live for cen- 
turies, 
And always young, but this you 

know's the day 

45 



4b 


ROMANTIC DRAMAS 


Prince. 


The day? — 0, when the tourney will 




be held, 




That you have planned. 


Princess. 


Alas, that I have 




planned ! 


Prince. 


Perchance your plans seem not so 




pleasant now, 




And you regret. 


Princess. 


Some other wishes now 




Engross my mind. I little thought 




that— time 




Could change my views. 


Prince. 


I'm glad that they have changed; 




For I liked not your plans, nor like 




them now. 


Princess. 


I wish 


Prince 


{eagerly). You wish? 


Princess. 


Nay, nay, I must not wish! 



Prince. 

Princess. 



A woman should be honest as a 

man. 
Whate'er might hap a man would 

keep his word, 
And yet I'm woman still enough to 

wish 

Tell me your wish. 

Nay, I must keep my word 
As strictly as a nun must keep her 

vows. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



47 



I've pledged my hand unto the man 

who wins, 

And though I wish 

Prince. I would I knew your wish. 

Princess. Nay, I must honest be and keep my 

word. 
Come stroll within my garden, where 

the rose 
Is queen of blooms, and kill the drag- 
ging time. 
This is Provence, the rose land of the 

South, 
And nowhere are there flowers that 

will show 
More fair than in the gardens of 

Provence. 
Prince. I'll gladly go. There's yet an hour 

to run 
Before the tournament, that you have 

planned, 
Where I must sing— and there I must 

not fail. 
Princess. You must not fail? 
Prince. In truth I must not fail 

To put my skill unto the test, and 

win; 
For there 's a prize no other man must 

get. 



48 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



And, if I win, at least I'll have the 

chance 
To plead my cause. 
Princess. You still then wish to win ? 

Prince. Still wish to win! There's naught I 

would not do, 
That honesty bars not, to win. 
Princess. You think 

The prize worth winning then ? 
Prince. Why, when I came 

Unto your lovely land, beguiled by 

tales 
The minstrels brought of your fair 

face and form, 
That, in their tales, outrivaled 

Helen 's charms, 
I found their stories, that seemed fab- 
ulous, 
Were not o'erdrawn; but e'en their 

melodies 
Told naught of all thy charming 

witcheries. 
But now, that I have lived here in 

your home, 

And seen you near 

Princess (quickly). 'Tis but a scanty week 
Since first we met, since first I saw 

your face. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



49 



Prince. 



Princess. 



Prince. 



A week, a day, an hour is time enough, 
For you have let me see the charming 

soul, 
That in your features shows, and 

lights your eyes, 
And makes your ev'ry word fall on 

my ear, 
Like water rippling in a gentle brook. 
Ah, I 'd kneel down with heart buoyed 

up by hope — 
Perhaps a daring hope, but what's 

hope worth 
That nothing dares?— Ay, gladly I'd 

kneel down 
Before your feet — but you are firmly 

bound 

Alas, firm bound to bide the tourney 's 

end! 
Ah, me, how little wisdom women 

have! 
They think their reason lies within 

their brains, 
As haps with men, but 'tis a woman 's 

heart 
That rules her life, and sets her plans 

awry. 

If I had only known 

If you had known? 



50 ROMANTIC DRAMAS 

Princess. Nay, nay ! Wilt come into the garden 
now? 
See, here's a rose! Wilt wear it for 

my sake, 
Or shall I pluck a fresh one from the 

bush, 
Still warm with morning's rays and 

wet with dew? 
{Takes rose from corsage, and raising 
it to her lips, holds it out to him.) 
Prince. (Talcing rose.) 

This one I choose, and not some other 

rose. 
It rested on your breast, and touched 

your lips. 
Your heart has warmed it, and your 

breath bedewed, 
And I will wear it next my heart. 
Princess. Perchance 

'Twill help you win. 
Prince. Your words have sent the blood 

A-surging through my veins, like 

some wild stream 
That fiercely tears adown a moun- 
tain's side, 
And now I'll surely win. 
Princess. Wilt come with me, 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



51 



And through my garden stroll, and 

watch the blooms 
Lift up their petals to the golden 

god, 
Who shines above, and showers them 
with beams? 
Prince. 1 11 go with yon — e 'en to — 1 11 go with 

you. 
(Exeunt Prince and Princess at left 
front. Enter Raymond at right — 
looks around — advances.) 
Raymond. Rolando should be here. I wrote to 
him. 
He is not wont to fail. 
(Enter servant at rear — he advances 
and hands card to Raymond.) 
Raymond. (To servant.) Bid him come in! 

(Exit servant at rear.) 
Raymond. I knew he would not fail. 

(Enter at rear Rolando masked, wear- 

ing red costume with white cross 

on right shoulder and wearing 

gloves.) 

Raymond. This must be he. 

You've come, Rolando? 
Rolando (advancing). Yes, at your request. 
Raymond. My letter told you of the tournament, 



52 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



In which the winner shall the Prin- 
cess wed, 
And that I wished that you would 

sing therein? 
Rolando. Your letter came. I was upon my 

way, 
"With all my troops, unto the southern 

sea. 
'Twas but a step aside to meet you 

here. 
But I'll not wed. 
Raymond. No, no! 'Twas so I wrote. 

There 11 be no wedding bells for you, 

be sure. 
'Twas kind of you to come. 
Rolando. I owe you much. 

There's little you can ask I will not 

do. 
And I have seen the man, who's in 

command, 
Monsieur Alphonse. I've been placed 

on his list, 
And, by his orders, have put on this 

mask, 
That none may know who sings, and 

in my room 
I donned this garb that you left there 

for me. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



53 



Raymond. I thank you, from my heart. That 

helps my plans. 
The Princess is romantic as a girl, 
Who, coming from a convent school, 

has heard 
The minstrels sing their many tales 

of love, 
And so we have this foolish tourna- 
ment. 
Rolando. What would you have me do ? Show 

me your plans, 
That I may bear them out, not muddle 

them. 
Raymond. I've asked you to come here because 

I fear 
Some worthless rhymester may the 

tourney win, 
For singing is a gift, as seeing is; 
But we must save the Princess from 

that fate, 
And, if you sing, there's no man in 

Provence 
Can rival you. 
Rolando. I'll sing my very best. 

Raymond. Then will you win, for I have heard 

you sing 
So sweetly that the angels, I am 

sure, 



54 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



Leaned over Heaven's walls to hear 

your notes. 
'Tis this I 'd have you do. When you 

have won 
You 11 claim the Princess for your 
bride. 
Eolando. But she— 

I hope that 'tis no portion of your 

scheme 
That I'm to wed. 
Eaymond. No, no! She will refuse. 

Eolando. Art sure of that? 
Eaymond. As sure as if her pact 

Lay in my hand. 
Eolando. No woman will I wed. 

Eaymond. Nor she with you, but, when she will 
not wed, 
You'll threat to pull her walls about 

her ears 
And bear her off. 
Eolando. 'Twill be an idle threat. 

Eaymond. Not so ! You have your soldiers here 
at hand, 
And you will siege this place. 
Eolando. And fight her troops? 

Eaymond. She has no troops. Her Kingdom's 
kept alive 
By jealousies of all the other kings, 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



55 



Each one of whom would swallow her 

domain, 
If he feared not the rest. You'll 

frighten her. 
Then send a challenge here, and I'll 

arrange 
To have the Prince act as her cham- 
pion. 
Rolando. Knows he aught of this scheme ? 
Raymond. Nay, I'd not dare 

To breathe of it to any one save you. 
For on him too romance has laid its 

hold, 
And he would win a bride by love 

alone, 
As if poor Cupid would not often 

fail 
Were there no artisans of bows and 

strings. 
Rolando. What shall I do when he takes up my 

gage? 
Raymond. Why, there's the rub. I would not 

ask too much, 
Yet would I have him win. Ask I too 

much? 
Rolando. Not more than I will gladly grant, 

and still 
To you be much in debt. 



56 ROMANTIC DRAMAS 

Raymond. 'Twill pay your debt, 

And, as you would not wed— — 
Rolando. I would not wed 

With any woman, whatsoe'er her 
state. 
Raymond. Well, it's the rule that, if a Knight 
should lose 
His foothold or should fail to strike 

his foe, 
He is adjudged the loser in the 

strife — 
A word unto the wise. 
Rolando. 'Tis quite enough. 

And now I'll seek the tournament of 
song. 
Raymond. Haste then, for failure there would 
balk my plans. 
I must make sure no churl can win the 
prize. 
Rolando. I'll go at once. 

(Exit 'Rolando at rear.) 
Raymond. (Sol.) 'Tis pity there should be 

So many souls enamored with ro- 
mance ; 
But, if imagination rules their 

lives, 
Why then sound common-sense must 
aid romance, 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



57 



And mix what they should have with 
what they seek. 

{Enter Marie at right — advances.) 
Marie. I can do naught but wander round 

the house, 

Like some poor cat, distraught with 
loneliness, 

From room to room, and here I am at 
last. 

This is the fateful day. 
Eaymond. If that be Fate, 

That we ourselves arrange in our be- 
half, 

The Princess played her game in her 
own way, 

And now she'd blame the bad results 
on Fate. 
Marie. She now regrets. 

Eaymond. Think you she does regret ? 

Marie. I'm sure of that. Have you not seen 

her eyes, 

"When they rest on the Prince, her 
sorrow show, 

And almost overflow with sudden 
tears ? 

And I have seen her eyes with love- 
light glow, 

"Whene'er he spoke. 



58 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



Raymond. 
Marie. 

Eaymond. 

Marie. 

Eaymond. 



Marie. 
Raymond. 



Marie. 
Raymond. 



Marie. 



Raymond. 



And what is in his thought? 

O, he's as much enamored as a boy, 

Who meets his first sweetheart. 

Then I'm resolved. 

Resolved ? 

That he shall wed, and she shall wed, 

And both shall wed, and each shall 
wed the other. 

You have a plan? 

In truth I have a plan, 

That's launched auspiciously, yet 
need I help. 

Can I assist? 

Not if you sympathize 

With this fantastic foolishness, that 
leads 

A sovereign maid to put her hand at 
stake, 

Where lout may win as easily as King. 

I am a woman, and I know no maid 

Who would not wed, and I am like the 
rest; 

But, ere a life-long consort I'd select 

Because his voice was sweet or rough- 
attuned, 

I'd go a virgin maiden to my grave, 

Most things that mortals do are com- 
monplace, 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 59 

And marriage, the most commonplace 

of all, 
Should be arranged according to rou- 
tine. 
Romance may furnish pleasure for a 

day, 
But stern reality should rule our lives, 
Which are lived here on Earth, not in 

the clouds. 
And syllabub is not a sating food. 
Marie. Nay, good roast-beef will better line 

man's ribs. 
Raymond. Then I '11 take aid from you. 
Marie. "Which I will give. 

Raymond. But I need other help, and here it 
comes. 
{Enter at right Duke and Alphonse — 
advance.) 
Duke. So you can judge 'tween singers in 

this bout, 
As I can judge the blows of Knights 
at arms? 
Alphonse. Beyond a doubt. 
Raymond. What manner have you fixed, 

Good minister of poetry, to judge 
Who is the best of them? 
Duke. Who loudest squalls 

Is always the best singer. 



60 


ROMANTIC DRAMAS 


Alphonse. 


It is thus : 




A singer, and a poet, and myself 




"Will choose from all, who sing, two 




troubadours, 




Who best perform. That twain will 




sing again 




Out here before the Princess and her 




suite, 




And she will choose the best. 


Duke. 


Will choose the worst; 




For there's no best in such a devil's 




game. 


Marie. 


0, let's hope chance will lend a little 




aid. 


Raymond. 


The singers will be known to all the 




world. 


Alphonse. 


Nay! They'll all wear a mask. 


Raymond. 


That's clever too. 




These judges you select, Monsieur 




Alphonse ? 


Alphonse. 


That task the Princess has turned o'er 




to me. 


Raymond. 


And they will list to you? 


Alphonse. 


No doubt they will. 




They'll get their pay through me. 


Raymond. 


And naught appeals 




So strongly to a man's artistic taste, 




That he will risk his pay. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 61 

Duke. Artistic taste ! 

Artistic rubbish ! Money is the thing, 
That human beings rules in every- 
thing. 
Raymond. Well, listen then to me, Monsieur Al- 
phonse. 
In this crass madness there will meth- 
od be, 
For I will lend my aid in manage- 
ment. 
Alphonse. No doubt 'twill help us much, if 

there be need. 
Raymond. Your judges will pick out the men as 
best, 
Whom I will name. 
Alphonse. If they should be the best, 

They surely will; if not, they'll surely 

not. 
For art has claims that artists must 
obey. 
Duke. That's more artistic rot. 

Marie. Have patience, dear, 

And let the Count unfold his skillful 
plans. 
Raymond. If they should sing the worst, ay, if 
their squalls 
Should rival e'en a pack of snarling 
dogs, 



62 ROMANTIC DRAMAS 

And rend the hearer's ears, you'll 

choose the twain 
Whom I select. 
Duke. A most praiseworthy course, 

For you'll pick out at least two gen- 
tlemen. 
Marie. And so the Princess will be sanely 

wed. 
Baymond. I hope you understand. 
Alphonse. It cannot be. 

No artist could do such a wicked act. 
Duke. More rot! 

Alphonse. I must select the very best. 

My honor is at stake. 
Duke. List to him now ! 

As if it were an honorable act 
To wed our Princess to a squalling 
churl. 
Alphonse. You know the Princess has agreed to 
wed 
The poet, who shall sing and write the 
best., 
Raymond. You err in that, I'm sure, Monsieur 

Alphonse. 
Alphonse. Not so. 

Raymond. 0, 1 am very sure you err. 

Duke. Of course you do, Monsieur Alphonse. 

That's clear. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



63 



Raymond. 



Duke. 
Kaymond. 



Marie. 



Duke. 
Alphonse, 



Eaymond, 



That was your plan, no doubt; but 

this tourney 
Henceforth is in my charge. 

Quite right! Quite right! 
So listen, if you please, unto my 

words. 
There'll be one there, in red, and one 

in blue, 
"With snowy crosses worked in silver 

thread 
Upon the shoulder of the cloak each 

wears. 
You'll choose those two, if they no 

better sing 
Than croaking crows that fly across 

the corn. 
Why, that is very plain, Monsieur 

Alphonse. 
You cannot err. I could do that my- 
self. 
And that 's the way to talk. 

It may not be. 
I must hold that the best, that is the 

best, 
And I must go. 

Think well of what I 've said ; 
For, if you hap to fail, Monsieur 

Alphonse, 



64 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



If you by any chance should hap to 
fail 

To carry out the plan I have outlined, 

I'll call my troops within a scanty 
day 

To take a certain man, who's here 
inside — — 
Duke. Not you, nor me ? 

Raymond. No, neither you nor me. 

Duke. Ah, then 'tis clear. 

Raymond. To take that man, Monsieur, 

And hang him from a staple on my 
tower, 

That pushes out its loop as if it 
craved 

To have a poet hanging from its end ; 

And, if you could but see that man 
when hung, 

Ay, if you could but look upon his 
face, 

You'd swear he was your twin, Mon- 
sieur Alphonse, 

So like he'll be to you. 
Duke. That's common sense. 

And it's a plan that fits the circum- 
stance, 

A very proper and judicious course. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 65 

Alphonse. It is a tourney, where the best must 

win. 
Raymond. You've worked upon the fancies of a 

girl— 
Duke. With rubbish of your art that's for 

art's sake — 
Raymond. Until she'll sacrifice herself and 

throne — 
Duke. My brother left, and he no more loved 

art 
Than— 
Marie. You or I. 

Duke. Or any man of sense. 

Alphonse. I must obey her highness 's commands. 
Duke. And we will save her. 

Raymond. If you should decide 

In any other way than I have asked, 
'Twill hap to you as I have said. So 

go! 
But be discreet, I urge, Monsieur Al- 
phonse. 
For there's the staple in my castle's 

wall, 
And it will have the ornament it 

craves, 
Unless you wisely judge. 
(Exit at rear Alphonse.) 



66 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



Marie. 



Duke. 



Marie. 
Kaymond. 



Marie. 
Duke. 



Raymond. 



Monsieur Alphonse 

Can scarcely wisely judge, if there 
shall float 

Before his eyes a vision of your hook, 

On which a poet hangs. 

They all should hang. 

They merely fret our souls. I like 
your v/ay; 

For, when you reason with a man, you 
state 

"What will befall, if he is not con- 
vinced. 

But why pick two? 

You heard Monsieur Alphonse 

A moment since. The Princess so ar- 
ranged. 

O, I recall. 

Well, I'd have made a rule 

That he should choose the Prince, and 
end the game. 

But then the Princess is most fanciful. 

She has romantic dreams like any girl, 

Whose mind is filled with fairy tales 
of love, 

And, if we Henri force on her too 
plain, 

Or make it seem that he has won by 
trick, 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 67 

Or if she change her mind and come 
to think 

That it degrades to be prize for a 
song, 

She may revolt, and e'en refuse the 
Prince. 
Duke. Put not your faith in woman's con- 

stancy ; 

For the chameleon's hue is firmer 
fixed. 

My plan 's the best. If he the Princess 
wants, 

And she wants him, what more is to 
be said? 

Call in the priest, and let them wed- 
ded be. 
Marie. She is romantic and the Prince is too. 

I wish she'd seen him do some nobler 
deed 

Than singing songs. 
Kaymond. I've thought of that, and planned 

To have the Prince before her eyes do 
deeds 

Like some bold Paladin of olden days, 

And thus enthuse her heart with burn- 
ing love. 
Duke. All rubbish, rubbish! Love is folde- 

rol! 



68 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



Marie. 
Raymond, 



Marie. 
Duke. 



Raymond, 



Duke. 
Marie. 
Raymond. 



It never put a denier in a purse, 

It never put a dinner in a man. 

Knows he your plans ? 

Nay, not a whit knows he. 

He has a conscience sharp as has a 
priest 

To cassock and biretta newly come, 

And, if he knew my plans, they'd 
surely fail. 

What must we do? 

Tell us the part we play. 

I take not kindly to your woven plots, 

And wish to have my way most plain- 
ly marked 

By signals, like a channel that's ob- 
scure. 

Ill manage that the singer we select 

Shall win the prize. You've but to 
echo me. 

Why, that's no plot. 

And gives us naught to do. 

Just hold him best that I decide is 
best, 

Though he be worst. I dare not tell 
you more, 

For gossiping 's a very human trait, 

And he, who nothing knows, can noth- 
ing tell. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



69 



Duke. 
Marie. 



Raymond, 



Marie. 
Duke. 



Pauline. 
Pierre. 

Jean. 
Duke. 



"Why he? It's she you mean. 

Nay, nay! It's he. 
For women secrets tell no more than 

men. 
"Well, he or she, yon know and will tell 

— naught. 
(Enter servants at right with all sorts 
of bags, and bundles of baggage, 
arid carrying banners, on which are 
inscriptions such as: "Down with 
poetry," "No poetry below the 
kitchen stairs," "Hang Monsieur 

Alphonse," "Poetry be ." 

They move to centre.) 
Why, here are all the servants in a 

mass. 
Tis an invasion from the realms be- 
low. 
What now ? What now ? What is it 

that you seek? 
We're throwing up our jobs. 
That's it. We're throwing up our 
jobs. 
At once. 
Why, this is socialism. If servants 

may 
Give up their places, whensoe'er they 
please, 



70 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



'Twill be a topsy-turvy world in- 
deed. 
Marie. "Wherein the serfs shall rule, and lords 

obey, 
And ladies milk the cows, and dukes 
make hay. 
Duke. For what are servants born, if not to 

serve? 
Raymond. 'Twould be, it seems to me, the better 
way 
To find out what they want. 
Duke. Why, in my youth, 

They'd get not what they want, but 

what they need, 
A dressing-down. It's riot and re- 
volt. 
It's almost heresy. 
Raymond. What wish you here? 

Pauline. To see the Princess. 
Duke. Go, Marie ! Bring the Princess ! 'Tis 

for her 
To manage this rebellious crowd of 

hers. 
(Marie to right and exit.) 
Pauline. And beg her come with speed. 
Duke. Why come with speed? 

Pauline. We're leaving here forthwith. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



71 



Pierre. 

Jean. 

Duke. 



Kaymond. 



Duke. 

Eaymond. 

Duke. 

Raymond. 



Princess. 



Pauline. 
Marthe. 
Princess. 



Well go at once. 

Or sooner. 

You're leaving here forthwith. Why 

can it be 
That servants can rise up and go — 

at once? 
You heard them say that such was 

their intent; 
And, if their legs fail not, perchance 

they'll go. 
If I were lord within these palace 

walls 

You'd hang them high as Haman. 

That I would. 
But then you're not, and she, who is 

the lord, 
Has I believe a softer heart than 

thine. 
{Marie and Princess at right.) 
And here she comes. 
{Princess and Marie advance.) 

Why, what's the trouble here? 
Why are my servants here? What 

mean those flags? 
We're leaving. 
And I want a character. 
A character. 



72 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



Jean. 


We all want characters. 


Duke. 


Hark to them! Now they all want 




characters ; 




And that's the truth. 


Princess. 


Allow me to proceed, 




Good uncle, if you will, with this my 




task, 




Which is no joking matter. 


Marie. 


No, indeed! 


Princess. 


(To servants.) 




Why should my servants leave at such 




a time? 


Jean. 


(To Marthe.) You speak. 


Marthe. 


(To Pierre.) No, you. 


Pierre. 


I can't. 


Jean. 


(To Pauline.) Well, you're the cook. 




I've heard the cook can speak to 




any one, if 'twere the king, a-sit- 




ting on his throne a-eating bread and 




honey. 


Pierre. 


That's true. The cook's any man's 




equal. 


Pauline. 


'Tis not against your highness we 




would mutter, 




But 'tis impossible for one to utter, 




When she is basting beef, a rhyme for 




butter, 




Unless 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



73 



Jean. 
Marthe. 



Brigette, 



Pauline. 



Jean. 
Marthe. 
Pauline. 
Princess. 



Pauline. 

Pierre. 
Duke. 



One chooses o'er the beef to sputter. 
And I'll not try the palace floor to 

scrub, 
If ev'ry moment I must think of rub. 
Nor, when I'm dusting, will I try to 

keep 
My brains a-seeking for a rhyme for 

sweep. 
There never was a cook since Earth 

began, 
Who could control that lazy Marie 

Anne 
By rhyme, or any other human plan, 
Except to smash her with the frying 

pan, 
And I '11 not try. 

No more will I. 

Nor I. 
And so we've come to say good-by. 
No, no ! You must not go. Think of 

my guests, 
"Who must be fed. You cannot go 

away. 
Let Monsieur Alphonse feed them 

with his rhymes. 
Poetry 's his stuff. 
What, poetry for food! 'Tis a slim 

fare 



74 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



Marie. 



Eaymond. 
Princess. 



Raymond. 
Duke. 
Marie. 
Princess. 



Pauline. 

Pierre. 
Marthe. 

Jean. 
Princess. 



For hungry men. One might as well 
consume 

The early morning breeze. 

Or pudding made 

Of foam, that dances on the ocean's 
waves. 

May I suggest? 

Why, aid me, if you can, 

For 'tis a situation fraught with woe, 

"When, without warning, all the serv- 
ants go. 

There is the remedy upon that flag. 

Yes, if you yield. 

The Princess will decide. 

(Beads from banner.) 

"No poetry below the kitchen stairs." 

Or, will you all go back, if I revoke 

The rule that you must always speak 
in verse? 

Why not? There's nothing else to 

which we can object. 

The place is good enough for me. 

I can't complain. 

Provided we speak prose. 

Well, I'll abolish verse. You can 
talk prose. 

Speak as you please, or through the 
mouth or nose. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



75 



Pauline. No more verse in the kitchen? 
Princess. Monsieur Alphonse must give the 
kitchen up ; 

For, after all, the servants in a house 

Are more important than the poets 
are. 
Pauline. {To servants.) Fold up your ban- 
ners! {To Princess.) And well 

gladly stay. {Curtsies.) 
Pierre. Well gladly stay. 

Marthe. Tour highness, I will stay, now that 

you let me talk my native tongue. 
Jean. Well, I'll stay to talk back to the 

cook. 
Pauline. We'll go back to our work, and do it 

gladly. 
Jean. No Monsieur Alphonse with his fool 

poetry in the kitchen! 

{Exeunt servants at right.) 
Duke. That's common sense that fits the par- 

lor too. 
Raymond. That was a tempest in a tea-pot. 
Princess. No ; 

'Twas in the kettles, pots, and colan- 
ders, 

In fact in all the culinary ware. 



Curtain. 



ACT III. 



Scene,— Same as in preceding acts. 
Some easy chairs at right centre. 

Time.— Afternoon, 

(Enter Prince and Raymond at rear. The 

Prince wears a hlue costume with white cross on 
his shoulder, and he carries a mask in his hand.) 

Eaymond. The tournament is o'er? 
Prince. Yes; all have sung. 

And now o'er the result the judges 

brood, 
Like three grave owls sitting on a 

branch, 
And nodding right for yes and left 
for no. 
Raymond. How fared you in your task ? 
Prince. Why, fairly well, 

If one can justly judge of his own 

work, 
For I had confidence born of the hope 
The words the Princess spoke put in 
my breast. 
76 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



77 



Nor did I think there was a singer 
here 

Who could outrival me. 
Raymond. And was there 

such ? 
Prince. Perhaps. A singer came, I know not 

whence, 

And sang his melody as charmingly 

As sings a nightingale, when twilight 
fades, 

And stars begin to glow in heaven's 
vault. 

I fear that he may win. 
Raymond. It cannot be. 

Prince. It must not be. Somehow I must suc- 

ceed; 

For I have lost my heart unto the 
maid, 

Who rules Provence, and, though I'd 
not demand 

Her hand if I should win, yet 'tis my 
wish 

That no one else shall win, for I 'm re- 
solved 

To win her love. 
Raymond. Fear not! You'll surely be 

One of the twain who'll sing before 
the Court. 



78 ROMANTIC DRAMAS 

Prince. You are a cheerful friend. You buoy 

one up, 
And put heart in a man. 
Eaymond. Because I've heard 

You so melodiously sing that e 'en the 

birds, 
"Who fill the groves, could not outrival 
you. 
Prince. But if you're wrong? 

Raymond. "We'll find some surer way. 

For I have plans a-surging in my 

brain, 
And I have set my heart on this out- 
come 
From this fantastic, foolish tourna- 
ment 
That you shall wed the Princess of 
Provence. 
Prince. "With her consent? 

Eaymond. With her consent and love. 

Prince. For, though I love, yet would I not 

desire 
To wed because estates lie side by side, 
Or that affairs of state will so be 

served. 
It is the woman, not her rank, I love, 
And I would have her give herself to 
me 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS s 79 

As gladly as Jeannette weds with 
Jeannot, 
Raymond. It will be so. You're tainted with ro- 
mance, 
And so is she, but I have laid my 

plans 
That you will wed with love, and so 
will she. 
Prince. Good friend! 

Raymond. You are my Prince. 

Prince. Yes, Prince and friend, 

And more than friend, if I shall win. 
Raymond. Trust me. 

But now the Princess and her com- 
pany 
Are drawing near to listen to your 

song, 
And you should not be seen till you 
have sung. 
Prince. I'll don my mask (puts on mask), and 

go away at once. 
Raymond. I hear the chatter of the maids. 
Prince. (Moving to rear.) I'll haste. 

Raymond. And, when you come again, return to 

win. 
Prince. If that's within my power I'll not fail. 
(Exit Prince at rear.) 
(Enter courtiers at right, followed by 



80 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



Princess, and Duke, and Marie. La- 

dies sing as they enter.) 
Ladies. (Sing.) 

This is our land of flowers, 

Fair Provence, 
Where bright, sunshiny hours 
Deck all our rustic bowers 
"With charming, fragrant flowers 

In Provence. 

This is our land of roses, 

Fair Provence. 
E ? en, if the sun-god dozes 
'Hind clouds, he fills the closes 
With freshly blooming roses 

In Provence. 

(The courtiers remain at right. The 
Princess and Duke and Marie ad- 
vance to right centre where Ray- 
mond is, and the chairs are.) 
Princess. (Sitting on a chair.) 

Our Court becomes a judgment hall 

to-day, 
Wherein my future is to be adjudged ; 
And that is graver matter than I 

thought, 
When, with light heart, I planned my 
tournament. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 81 

But sit you here, and give me coun- 
tenance. 
{Marie and Duke and Raymond sit — 
Monsieur Alphonse appears at rear 
door.) 
Marie. Monsieur Alphonse! (Alphonse ad- 

vances.) 
Princess. The trials, are they o'er? 

Alphonse. We have obeyed your Highness ? s com- 
mands, 
And heard the troubadours, who 

wished to sing, 
And chosen two, who seemed to sing 
the best. 
Princess. Know you their names? 
Alphonse. Nay, all were fully masked. 

Eaymond. (Rising — to Alphonse.) 

I hope, my very shrewd Monsieur Al- 
phonse, 
That you have wisely judged. 
(Marie appears to talk to Princess.) 
Alphonse. In very truth 

You will be pleased, and yet we sac- 
rificed 
No jot of our design, but chose the 

best. 
One wears a cloak of red, and one of 
blue, 



82 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



And on their shoulders crosses show 
of white. 
Raymond. 'Tis said that we should wise as ser- 
pents be, 
But you. Monsieur Alphonse, have 

topped that rule, 
For you have wisely judged, and just- 
ly judged. 
Princess. {To Raymond.) Sit here with me. 
I have a grievous task, 
And I am trembling with a nervous 

fit, 
For fear I'll fail. Know you if sang 
the Prince? 
Eaymond. ( Sitting. ) 

I Ve heard he sang. 

Princess. I 'm glad of that. I 'm glad 

Think you Nay, I '11 not ask. 

Eaymond. Perchance our 

aid 
May help you in determining your 
choice. 
Princess. I'd have you, Count, good uncle, and 
dear friend 
Decide— for I can scarcely justly 

judge 
In such a case, where ev'ry thing's at 
stake, 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



83 



My future life, my country, and my 

love — 
Who is the better singer of the twain. 
Marie. Why, we will help. 

Duke. Of course we'll lend our aid. 

And luck will serve us badly, if we 

fail 
To pick the better man. 
Raymond. I'll gladly serve. 

Princess. I'll leave the task to you, and I'll 
abide 
Whate'er you in your wisdom may 

decide. 
{To Alphonse.) 
Monsieur Alphonse, bring you the 

singers here, 
And let them come in mask that we 

may hear 
Their poesy, and nothing know of 

them, 
As if they were sweet birds, hid by 

the clouds, 
For we would judge with naught of 

prejudice. 
{Exit Alphonse at rear.) 
Marie. Well, we will judge them fairly. 

Duke. Rightly you mean, 

So that a nobleman may win the prize. 



84 ROMANTIC DRAMAS 

Princess. Ah, 'tis a day of misery for me, 

And I had dreamed 'twould be a day 
of joy, 

That he, who'd win, would be a gal- 
lant man, 

Such as to maidens' fancies comes in 
dreams, 

But now I fear — my breast is filled 
with fear. 

I would I had not made this tourna- 
ment. 

I would I could with honesty with- 
draw, 

For now I 've other wishes in my mind, 

And other fancies make my bosom 
throb. 
Raymond. You surely, if you choose, can change 
your mind. 

That is, you know, a woman's privi- 
lege. 
Princess. A woman's privilege, when unre- 
strained. 

A Princess is a woman, and much 
more. 

She must uphold her honor like a 
man, 

And, when a Princess has her honor 
pledged 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



85 



To bide the outcome of a tournament, 

She must keep faith come there or 
weal or woe, 

And yet — you're sure the Prince has 
made essay? 
Eaymond. O yes. But you your plan can throw 
aside. 

For see— the prize you offer is a gift, 

For which no one has paid, and judges 
hold 

One can withdraw the offer of a gift, 

At any time before the gift's com- 
plete. 
Marie. I would, if I were you. 

Duke. You're Princess here. 

The plan 's no good. Just toss it over- 
board, 

And bid the rhymesters go to rubbish 
land, 

And squall their tunes, like dogs, unto 
the moon. 
Princess. Nay, nay ! My honor's pledged. And 
you will find 

A woman can her promise keep as 
firm 

As any man. 

(Alphonse, with Rolando masked, ap- 
pears at rear.) 



86 ROMANTIC DRAMAS 

Marie. Here comes Monsieur Aiphonse. 

(Aiphonse and Rolando advance. Bo- 

lando wears a red suit and is masked 

and gloved. There is a white cross 

worked on his shoulder.) 

Duke. The cause of all your woe. 

Princess. (To Rolando.) You're welcome, sir. 

And that you should have sung at my 

request 
Makes you a worthy guest here in my 

Court ; 
And I would further strain your cour- 
tesy 
By urging you to sing your song 

again, 
That we, ourselves, may judge its 

worthiness. 
And be you ready, friends, like some 

full bench 
Of puissant judges, gravely to decide 
A question that is full of pros and 

cons. 
(Princess hows to Rolando; Rolando 
hows.) 
Eol ando. ( Sings. ) 

There's a fountain afar, in the coun- 
try of dreams, 
Out of which ever-living tides flow, 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 87 

Where the sunlight of morn o'er the 

fair fountain streams, 
And tints its pure waters with life- 
giving beams 
Till one sees all the hues of the 

bow 
In the bubbles, that, crowding each 

other, upmount 
In a ne'er-ending stream to the top 

of the fount 
From the river of life below. 
And the water's as pure as the clouds 

up on high, 
A-floating snow white far up in the 

sky, 
That flows from this fountain of 

youth. 

There are trees, ever dressed in the 

garments of spring, 
And roses, that rival the morn, 
Bedecked with the gems that to the 

blooms cling, 
Flung hither and yon by the reckless 

day-king, 
Whenever the day is born, 
And lilies, white lilies, engather 

around, 



88 ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



And pansies and daffodils spring from 
the ground, 
And daisies this fountain adorn, 
The while all the birds in the trees or 

on wing, 
The glory of living exultingly sing, 
Far up o'er this fountain of youth. 

You must journey in dreams afar and 

afar, 
In the gloom and the quiet of night, 
When there ? s naught but the gleam 

of some far distant star, 
That glitters above you wherever you 

are, 
To make your way clear with its 

light; 
And your limbs may be weak, and 

your hair may be gray, 
And your eyes may be dull, when 

you halt on your way 
By the side of this fount of delight ; 
But your body, rejoicing, shall have 

a new birth, 
And your soul shall exult, while you 

live on this Earth, 
If you drink from this fountain of 

youth. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



89 



Princess. We thank you for the pleasure that 
your song 
Has brought to us, for, if one pleas- 
ure give 
By poetry or art, one should be 

praised. 
There's yet another singer to be 

heard. 
Wilt ask him to attend, Monsieur Al- 
phonse ? 
Alphonse. {To Rolando.) 

Come, sir, with me, and, should it hap 

that you 
Shall by the Princess be adjudged the 

best, 
I'll ask you to return. 
{Exeunt Rolando and Alphonse at 
rear. ) 
Marie. That was not bad. 

How seemed the song to you ? 
Princess. A lovely song ! 

I liked the story, and I liked the tune. 
Raymond. I think no better song was ever sung. 
Duke. 'Twas rubbish, nothing else. Why 

one can sing, 
And sing as sweetly as a nightingale, 
And have no more of sense than has 
a hen, 



90 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



"Who this way runs and that to 'scape 

a cart. 
(Alphonse and Prince at rear door. 
Prince wears a Hue suit and is 
masked. There's a cross on his 
shoulder in white.) 
Princess. I pray you speak more gently, uncle 
mine. 
The other singer comes. 
(Prince and Alphonse advance.) 

You're welcome, sir: 
And I 'm beholden to your courtesy. 
And, if it be a seemly thing to ask 
A poet to again repeat his lay, 
Well gladly listen to your melody. 
For we must judge, and one can 

scarcely judge 
Unless one hears. Would it be harsh 

to urge 
That you should sing your melody 

once more ? 
(Princess and Prince bow.) 
Prince. (Sings.) 

Cendrillon, she fled away 

From her home, where she was a 
slave, 
To the fields, where gaily the butter- 
flies play; 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS * 91 

To the groves, where slowly the rivu- 
lets stray, 
And the roots of the flowers lave ; 
For there the sounds of the wild were 
heard, 
The songs of the brooks and breeze, 
And her heart was as free as that of 
a bird, 
That sings above the trees. 

Her beauty outshone the day, 

When it glows in the Eastern sky, 
Before the diamonds are swept away 
From the blooms by the dawn's tri- 
umphant ray, 

In which the dew-drops die ; 
But ev'ry one said, as she wandered 
free 

In meadow land and glade, 
How can a maid so lovely be, 

Yet be a beggar maid? 

And the lords were all amazed 

That a beggar should be so fair, 
And, one and all, the princes praised 
The light that in her blue eyes 
blazed, 
And the gold that tinged her hair; 



92 ROMANTIC DRAMAS 

But, while such praise to her looks 
they paid 

In gentle words and low. 
The king, he wed that beggar maid 

A many years ago. 

Princess. That you have sung to us so gra- 
ciously, 
And raptured both our willing ears 

and minds 
Makes us a debtor for your courtesy, 
And we would willingly have you re- 
main, 
But we must judge, and lest you hear 
some words 

That may offend 

Alphonse. {To Prince.) 

Come, sir, I pray, with me. 
{Exeunt at rear Prince and Al- 
phonse.) 
Princess. I'd have you choose the best, but for 
my part 
I think the one in blue more sweetly 

sang. 
I liked his melody. I liked the words 
He unto music linked. I liked his grace, 
And I'd choose him. 
Raymond. {Rising.) Nay, he in red has won. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



93 



Duke. 



Raymond. 



Princess. 
Raymond, 



Princess. 



By every rule of art he sang the best. 

The light and shade of tone, the mel- 
ody 

In which he wrapped his words, the 
graceful way 

In which the words and tones in one 
were fused, 

All show that as a poet he outranks 

All other men and as a singer too. 

(Aside.) 

Great Heavens, Count, art sure he is 
the Prince ? 

They were so much alike in size and 
shape, 

They vexed the judgment like a pair 
of twins. 

(Aside.) 

Have faith in me! The game is not 
so plain 

As you may think when one with lov- 
ers deals. 

How say you, friends ? Are you all of 
one mind? 

We are agreed that he, in crimson 
garbed, 

Has won the prize. 

(Enter Alphonse at rear.) 

Perchance you may be right. 



94 i ROMANTIC DRAMAS 

Would that I knew which is the bet- 
ter course, 

But, when one sails upon the sea of 
chance, 

He has no compass that will mark his 
way, 

And knows not will he harbor make or 
sink. 

(To Alphonse.) 

Let him, who wore the crimson garb, 
come in. 

(Exit Alphonse at rear.) 

What silly folk we are to play with 
Fate, 

That, heedless as the car of Jugger- 
naut, 

Rolls on and crushes all that halt its 
course. 

(Enter at rear Alphonse and Rolando; 
Rolando is mashed. They advance.) 
Princess. I pray you, sir, unmask, that we may 
know 

What manner 'tis of man, who sang 
so sweet 

That, 'mong the many nightingales, 
who came 

To grace my tournament, his melody 

Charmed ev'ry ear. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



95 



(Rolando unmasks, and shows that he 
is a Moor.) 
Princess. (Rising.) Why, he's a blackamoor! 

(The others rise.) 
Marie. A blackamoor from Afric's sunny 

clime ! 
Duke. Why, here's poetic madness gone in- 

sane. 
No niece of mine can wed a blacka- 
moor. 
Marie. 0, Princess, surely you'll not wed this 

man. 
Princess. My brain is dazed, but I'll not wed a 

black. 
Duke. Think you Provence will let you wed 

this man, 
Or, if you do, will leave you on the 
throne ? 
Princess. Why, I would breed a race, half white, 
half black, 
Like some white slut, crossed by an 

inky dog. 
It cannot be, for I would not dis- 
grace 
My forbears. 
Duke. Nay, posterity you mean; 

For never would the people of Pro- 
vence 



96 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



Consent to have a hybrid on the 
throne. 
Princess. It cannot be. 

{To Rolando.) Good sir, I much re- 
gret 
To aught say that your sentiments 

may wound, 
But with you I'll not wed. 
Rolando. I beg you note 

That in your offer, spread through- 
out the world, 
To wed the man who in melodious 

tones 
Enwrapped the most enchanting 

poetry, 

Princess. If he were white. 
Rolando. "Why, that's an afterthought. 

You barred not color, state, or lineage. 
I am a noble in my native land, 
And fit to wed with any Princess born. 
Marie. A Princess of your hue ! 

Duke. A blackamoor ! 

Rolando. And, as I've won, why I demand the 

prize. 
Duke. Pooh, pooh ! The thing was rubbish at 

the start, 
And one makes not demands of Prin- 
cesses. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



97 



(Enters at rear Prince unmasked and 
advances.) 
Princess. Welcome ! You were the other singer 
then? 
And truly 'twas your voice I recog- 
nized. 
Marie. We blundered in our choice. 

Duke. That's very plain. 

Prince. You seem disturbed. Perchance this 

gentleman 

Princess. That is the winner of the tourna- 
ment, 
Who yonder stands, and he demands 

my hand. 
You would not have me wed a blacka- 
moor ? 
Prince. There's but one man on Earth I'd 

have you wed, 
And not e 'en him except by your free 
will. 
Princess. I cannot wed this man. 
Kolando. You. gave your pledge. 

Your honor will be shamed before the 

world, 
If you keep not your word, and I de- 
mand 
The prize you offered in the tourna- 
ment. 



98 ROMANTIC DRAMAS 

Princess. I cannot wed with yon, 

(To Prince.) Will you not say 

What's fit in my behalf? For, come 

what may 
Of shame, I cannot wed a blackamoor. 
Prince. I'll gladly speak for you. 

(To Rolando.) It ill becomes 

The loser in a strife— as I have been — 
To urge the winner anything to yield ; 
Yet to a Princess something still is 

due, 
And to a woman something more. 
Duke. Of course ! 

Prince. And, as the Princess and the woman 

both 
Are firm resolved that shell not wed 

with you, 
It would be gracious courtesy for you 
To yield the victory you have fairly 

won, 
And set the woman and the Princess 
free. 
Eolando. I will not yield. I still demand the 
prize 
That I have won. 
Duke. A gallant knight in black ! 

Rolando. And, if it be not granted with good 
grace, 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



99 



I'll draw my troops around the cas- 
tle's walls, 
And siege it till you yield what I have 

won. 
A Princess should keep faith like other 
folk. 
Prince. May I still speak for you ? 

Princess. 0, speak for me! 

For now I find that, in a time of 

strain, 
A woman some one needs to lean 
upon. 
Prince. The Princess asked you to her tourna- 
ment 

Rolando. By asking all the world. 
Prince. And she would show 

Due courtesy, but she has changed her 

mind. 
That is a woman's privilege. 
Rolando. Not so. 

She should her promise keep as would 
a man. 
Duke. Tell him to go. The Princess will not 

wed, 
And no more's to be said. That's com- 
mon sense. 
Princess. Nay, uncle, there's a fitness in all 
things ; 



100 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



And, when one has been scant in cour- 
tesy, 
And when one will not keep her 

plighted word, 
One should the language of contrition 

use, 

And not the bold bravado of the just. 

Prince. The Princess will not wed. 

Duke. And, if she did, 

We 'd send her with you into Barbary. 

Prince. That's our response. "We ask you to 

depart. 
Rolando. Yes, and return, but this time as a 

foe. 
Prince. Whate 'er Time has in store, why time 

will show. 
(Exit Rolando at rear.) 



Curtain. 



ACT IV. 

The top of a tower of the castle of the Princess 
of Provence. The walls are as high as a man, with 
crenelles at short intervals. 

When the curtain rises Prince Henri is seen, 
(walking up and down. He is dressed in armor, and 
he occasionally looks through the crenelles in the 
wall. 

Prince. (Sol.) A pretty pass, a pretty pass 

in truth ! 

We're cooped up here within the cas- 
tle's walls, 

Like prisoners condemned to punish- 
ment, 

"While yonder sits our foe, like some 
grim cat, 

That watches well the hole wherein 
her prey 

Has hid itself, and waits for its 
escape. 

(Enter Princess at right.) 
101 



102 i ROMANTIC DRAMAS 

Princess. I've come to help you in your weary 
task 
Of keeping guard. 
Prince. There 's danger in this place ; 

But 'tis a spot, whence I can watch 
the foe, 

While you There is no need that 

you should risk 
Your life. 
Princess. Save that, like most of womankind, 

I have an overwhelming wish to go 
"Where I should not. What does the 
foe outside? 
Prince. He draws his forces close against the 

gate, 
And makes his engines ready for at- 
tack. 
Princess. See what a little thing can tangle up 
The crossing threads of many human 

lives, 
And make what seemed a woman's 

harmless whim 
A cause of woe. There came not in 

my brain 
A thought, that, when I planned a 
tournament 
Of melody, 'twould end in cruel 
war. 






ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



103 



Prince. Tis always so. The outcome of our 

schemes 
Is seldom what we dream. A spark 

of flame 
Seems naught, yet burns a city to the 
ground. 
Princess. And I am like to be a captive made 
Unto a blackamoor, be led away 
To some strange land to breed young 
blackamoors. 
Prince. Let 's hope for better things, for I have 

sent 
A trusty messenger unto my camp, 
Who'll bring my troops, and well 
soon raise the siege. 
Princess. If it had only hap'd that you had 

won. 
Prince. You wish that I had won? 

Princess. Why, see what hap 'd ! 

With all the judges firm 'gainst my 

award, 
'Twas I alone decided that your song 
Deserved the prize. But in a woman's 

way — 
That 's weak, when it should be as firm 

as steel, 
And soft, when it should be like ada- 
mant, — 



104 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



I let the others overbear my wish. 

And to their urgings yielded my 
assent. 
Prince. But had I won the prize ? 

Princess. "Why, had you won, 

There 'd be no question of a blacka- 
moor, 

A-sitting as a foeman at my gate. 
Prince. Yet, when I entered in your tourna- 

ment, 

I entered not that I might win the 
prize, 

But that I might, by such skill as, I 
own, 

Ensure your safety from the very 
fate 

That has befallen you. 
Princess. You did not care — 

You mean that you cared not to win 
the prize, 

To win me for a wife? 
Prince. I said not so. 

But I'd not care to gain a woman's 
hand 

"Without her heart. 'Twould be no 
prize to me. 

And 'tis my thought that never wom- 
an's heart 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



105 



Was by man won by melody alone, 
Or poetry, or anything save love. 
Princess. By love alone? 

Prince. That is what I believe. 

Her fancy may be touched, her mind 

allured, 
Her vanity be pleased, her pride in- 
creased 
By art, or poetry, or melody, 
But naught save love will make her 

bosom throb ; 
And if a man win not a woman's 

heart, 
Before she with him weds, he nothing 

wins. 
Princess May not a woman music love and art, 
May not a woman so divide her heart 
That many joys may find a home 

therein ? 
Prince. I would not have a woman for a 

wife 
Unless her heart, her body, and her 

soul, 
Her inmost thoughts, the essence of 

her life 
She gave to me as freely as the clouds 
Give of their substance to the thirsty 

flowers, 



106 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



Unless her love all passions over- 
whelmed, 
As some great torrent, with its reck- 
less swirl, 
Engulfs all smaller streams upon its 
course. 

Princess. I did not know Think you my 

tournament 
A foolish thing? 
Prince. Most things that mortals do 

Are foolishness, and they, who do the 

least, 
Make least mistakes. 

Ah me, if I had known !— 
And when a woman weds— — - 

Yes, when she weds? 
Then should she seek a man whose 

bosom beats 
In unison with hers. 

Ah, yes, I know. 
I've learned my lesson. Would that 

I had known- 

{Enter at right the servants, carrying 
spits, frying pans, mops, etc.) 
Princess. "What now? {Servants arrange them- 
selves in semi-circle.) 
Prince. Your kitchen's up in arms again. 

Princess. A kitchen is a most bewild 'ring thing, 



Princess. 
Prince. 
Princess. 
Prince. 



Princess. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



107 



For now, it's placid as a summer sea, 
And now it's tumid as the mighty 

deep, 
When it is tempest tossed. 
{To servants,) What have you there? 
{Pauline holds in hand large piece of 
paper.) 

Pauline. 'Tis a round robin, that we have 
signed, in which the first is last, and 
no one knows who signed the robin 
first, because it 's signed on its circum- 
ference. 

Jean. Roundabout. 

Princess. Will some one read the script aloud 
to me? 

Pauline. Pierre will read. {Hands paper to 
him.) He's more a scholar than all 
the rest, and knows the words. 

Jean. When he sees them, and reads crabbed 

writing as easily as boys spell a, b ab. 

Princess. Then let him read what's written in 
your script. 

Pauline. Read it, Pierre! 

Jean. And with distinctness, for there be 

ears, more slow than other ears, and 
all should hear. 

Marthe. If he should not read distinctly then 
'twould be mumbling. 



108 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



Princess. 
Pauline. 



Pierre. 

Pauline. 

Marthe. 

Pauline. 



Pierre. 

Jean. 

Marthe. 
Pierre. 
Pauline. 
Pierre. 



Pauline. 



Still I would let him try to do his best. 
'Twill be no worse than the French 
that some Frenchmen speak— part 
with the nose, part with the teeth, and 
part — well, that they do not say at all. 
So, let him read. 

(Reads.) We, servants of the Prin- 
cess of Provence, 

All those below the stairs, your High- 
ness knows. 

Well, I 'm an upstairs girl, a chamber- 
maid. 

It's where you dine, not where you 
work, that marks your rank in the 
social scale, and you eat in the kitchen, 
like the rest of us. (To Pierre.) Go 
on! 

(Beads.) We, servants of the Princess 
of Provence, have written these words. 
Pierre wrote them, but we adopted 
them. 

Every one of us. 

(Beads.) Have written these words. 
But you read that. 

I'll read it o'er again, and o'er, and 
o'er until you weary grow unless you 
silence keep. 
Well, I'll not speak. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



109 



Marthe. I'm sure I do not talk. 

Pierre, (Reads.) Have written these words. 

Pauline. O dear, well never reach an end, if 
he goes on a-reading o'er and o'er, 
Have written these words. 

Pierre. 'Tis so written here. 

Pauline. Yes, but only once. But you go on, 
like some mellifluous cow, that says 
Moo, Moo because she has said Moo. 

Princess. I pray you let him read it to the end. 

Pauline. O, if your Highness likes to hear, 
Have written these words, they'll not 
harm me. 

Princess. I pray you further read what's writ- 
ten there. 

Pierre. Have written these words, to-wit 

Jean. That's there. I put it there. 

Pierre. (Beads.) To-wit — — 

Jean. Which means, I 'm told, that is to say. 

Marthe. Or other things, that only wise men 
know. 

Pauline. And, as I nothing know of that to- 
wit, but only of the one the owl hoots, 
when in the woods he cries to whit to 
whoo, 'tis there 'gainst my protest. 

Princess. But surely it can do no harm to us. 

Jean. Ay. Why there be things, e 'en in the 

Holy Writ, at which I shake my head, 



110 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



Pauline. 
Pierre. 



Jean. 



Pierre. 
Jean. 
Pierre. 
Pauline. 



Jean. 



but then I know that they cannot do 
us harm. 

"Well, let it stand. 

(Beads.) To-wit, that is to say, that 
we have heard with the profoundest 
humiliation 

Them is my words, your Highness, 
them's my words. Read them once 
more, good Pierre, and read them slow 
that they may better sink into the 
mind. 

(Beads.) "With the profoundest hu- 
miliation — — 

Them words are good enough for any 
queen. 
(Beads.) That at your gate the foe is 

sitting rampant 

That part was not written with my 
consent, for, mark you, it is written 
without sense. We know each crea- 
ture has a sitting-place, and two or 
more legs to stand upon, but none can 
stand upon his sitting-place, nor sit 
upon his standing-place. 
Quite true ! But these be f oemen, and 
they sometimes sit, and sometimes 
stand, and where they stand or 
sit 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



111 



Marthe. Heaven knows! 

Pauline. They can't be rampant, if they sit, 
nor stand upon their sitting-place. 

Jean. Unless they 're kangaroos, who sit and 

stand, I've heard, upon their tails. 

Marthe. 'Tis no concern of ours. If they don't 
care to ramp, why let them sit. 

Princess. I pray you, therefore, let the script 
be read. 

Pauline. 0, if you like to have the foemen stand 
upon their sitting-place 

Jean. {Interrupting.) Read further, Pierre! 

Pierre. That at your gate the foe is sitting 

rampant. We pledge you our sup- 
port. So say we all. 

Pauline. That's the gist of it. So say we all. 

Pierre. {Beads.) And ev'ry one will for our 

Princess die. 

Princess. "Why that 's a sentiment that well may 
please. 

Pierre. {Heads.) And we have come with all 

our tools of war 

{All ~brandisli implements.) 

Pauline. To roast. 

Jean. And fry. 

Susanne. And boil. 

Julie. And stew. 

Pierre. {Beads.) Your enemies. 



112 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



Marthe. (Brandishing broom.) And sweep 

him with a besom from your gates. 
Princess. Why 'tis a happiness that I should 
find 
Such loyalty. T thank you from my 

heart. 
And if there's need I'll put it to the 
test. 
Pauline. Well stand the test. 
All Servants. We 11 for our Princess die ! 
Princess. I thank you, and I pray you leave me 

now. 
Jean. We've said our say. 

Pauline. And said it well. 
All Servants. We 11 for our Princess die ! 
(Exeunt servants at right.) 

Princess. At least my servants- 

(Sound of shot outside.) 
Prince. (Eagerly, before Princess.) Back! 

Stand back I beg! 
That bolt went near your heart. If it 
had struck 

Against your breast I pray you 

go away. 
Princess. Nay, nay, 1 11 stay ! The quarrel here 
is mine. 
The castle's mine. My uncle and the 
Count 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



113 



Watch at the gate, and you are here 

on guard. 
'Twould ill become the castle's chate- 
laine 
To in the cellar hide, like some weak 

maid, 
"Who fears the lightning's flash or 

thunder's roll. 
Prince. But, if you're harmed I would 

not have you harmed 
For all the world. 
Princess. I beg you let me stay. 

I would not that I should at such a 

time 
Be charged with cowardice. 
Prince. But, if you 

stay, 
Then stand far back lest some stray 

bolt shall find 
A lodgment in your breast, and you 

be killed, — 
And I — Ah, stand far back, far back 

I beg! 
Princess. {Moving hack towards right.) 

See ; I obey your wish. 
Prince. 'Tis better so, 

And safer far, and I would have you 

safe. 



114 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



(Enter Raymond, Duke and Marie 
followed hy a Herald at right.) 
Raymond. A messenger has come. 
Duke. Your charming poet, 

Who sits outside your gate, the black- 
amoor, 
Has sent a message here. 
Marie. A challenge 'tis. 

Princess. Well, he must be received, come 
whence he may, 
For heralds in all lands are sacred 
held. 
Raymond. We brought him here. 
Princess. (To Herald.) You have some word 

for me? 
Herald. A message for the Princess of Prov- 
ence. 
Princess. Weil, I am she. 
Herald. (Offering paper.) A message from 

my liege. 
Duke. I'd take no message from a blacka- 

moor. 
Princess. (Taking paper.) 

We owe some courtesy to ev'ry man, 
Whate'er his hue, who shows civility, 
For that's of our urbanity the proof; 
And I'd not be a heathen or a 
churl. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



115 



{To Herald.) I beg you answer bide. 

{To Prince, offering paper.) Wilt 
read the script? 
Prince. {Beads.) 

Unto the Princess of Provence these 
words : 

That you have wronged me by your 
acts is plain, 

In that you have refused that which I 
won; 

And I am here, outside, to siege your 
town 

Until it falls, but, that there may be 
end 

To our contentions grave, I by this 
script 

Give you the chance, by chosen cham- 
pion, 

To meet me or with spear, or sword, 
or axe, 

In single combat in the open field. 
Princess. A challenge 'tis. 
Duke. But from a blacka- 

moor. 
Prince. A glorious chance ! 'Tis what I would 

have sought 

Above all things on Earth. 

{To Princess.) I beg you say 



116 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



That you will choose me for your 

champion, 
That you will let me meet this foe for 

you. 
Princess. I would not wish to trust my name, 

my life, 
My sacred honor unto better hands. 
Ill be beholden unto you — but yet, — 
You may be harmed. I would not 

have you harmed 
In my behalf. 

Ah, 'tis in your behalf 
That I most willingly would take the 

risk. 
But, if you're harmed! 

There ever is a chance, 
"When mortals strive in war, that harm 

may come; 
But all my life, my youth without 

excess, 
My daily studies in the art of war, 
My strivings in the field with other 

knights 
Have been a preparation for this day, 
When I shall fight a foeman here — 

for you. 
Princess. For me ! Ah, would it were a better 

cause. 



Prince. 



Princess. 
Prince. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



117 



Prince. There is no better cause, and I'll not 

fail. 
May I send answer to the foe ? 
Princess. Pray do! 

Say what you will. 
Prince. (To Herald.) Go you unto your 

liege, 
And say to him, I follow on your heels 
To champion the Princess of Prov- 
ence, 
And with my body I will, in the lists, 
Maintain the rightfulness of all her 

acts. 
(Herald bows and goes off at right.) 
Princess. I beg you wear my colors on your arm. 

(Ties ribbon on arm.) 
Prince. You honor me, and I will bring it 

back 
As virgin pure as is the unsoiled 
snow. 
Princess. My prayers go with you, Prince. 
Raymond. I too must go 

That I may second be unto my Prince. 
(Exeunt Prince and Raymond at 
right.) 
Princess. Think you he'll win? Art sure the 

Prince will win ? 
Duke. As sure as there is sunlight in the sky. 



118 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



But that I know that he's a better 

knight 
Than any here, than any in Provence, 
I would have gone to fight the black- 
amoor, 
Who sought to put disgrace upon my 

race. 
Princess. Ah, he has gone ! I hear the rumbling 

chains 
That lower our main gate ; his horse *s 

hoofs 
Strike on the iron bridge; and now 

with speed 
He rides across the stones. Would I 

dare look. 
He may be hurt. I fear to see him 

hurt: 
And ev'ry blow 'gainst him will 

pierce my heart. 
I dare not look. 
Duke. Let that not fret your mind, 

For I dare look, and tell you all that 

haps. 
Marie. And so dare I, and, as a woman too, 

Tell all the details that you 11 wish 

to know. 
{Duke and Marie stand on bench 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



119 



Princess. 



Duke. 
Marie. 

Princess. 
Duke. 



Marie. 



Princess. 



that's built against the wall, and 
look over the wall.) 
Yes, yes! Look out and tell me all 

that haps! 
What do they now? 

They ride into the lists. 
The Prince however 's the nobler of the 

twain. 
How bears himself the Prince? 

Why, like a man, 
Whose cause is just, whose strength's 

at his command, 
Whose sword's of honest steel, whose 

heart throbs fast 
With eagerness to strike the coming 

foe. 
What more would you require of a 

man? 
In field of war he is a charming sight. 
He sits as firmly on his horse's back 
As some grim Centaur, and bears his 

spear 
As lightly as a baby swings a switch. 
I knew he would. I knew I 'd put my 

trust 
In gallant hands. What are they 

doing now ? 



120 ROMANTIC DRAMAS 

Marie. They're moving in the lists, one to 

each end. 
Princess. Think you he'll win? Art very sure 

he'll win? 
Duke. "Why, if I were not sure that he would 

win, 
I'd hide my locks of grey, and haste 

outside 
To overwhelm that blackamoor my- 
self. 
Marie. They're sitting now like statues ere 

they, start. 
Princess. Art sure he'll not be hurt? 
Duke. Why, I'll 

engage 
To cover all the wounds that he may 

get 
With plaster smaller than a maid will 

use, 
When with a needle she may prick her 
thumb. 
Princess. (To Duke,) You do not look! 

(To Marie.) Pray tell me what they 

do! 
For all my nerves are tingling with 
affright. 
Marie. Why, like a flash of light, they leave 

their posts 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



121 



With leveled spears from which the 

sun-beams glance. 
The horses fly along the course like 

birds, 
That with fresh wings sweep swift 

across the sky. 
The whelming dust almost obscures 

my view 

Princess. (Interrupting.) 

Yes, yes! What haps? What haps? 

Marie. The two knights meet 

Like thunderbolts, that rush from dif- 

f 'rent clouds. 
Their spears strike 'gainst the 

shields He's down! He's 

down! 
Princess. 0, not the Prince. 
Marie. Nay, nay! 

Duke. The blackamoor. 

Princess. Thank heaven for that! Almost my 
heart stood still, 
And for a moment I had nearly passed 
From life into oblivion. 
Duke. Pooh, pooh ! 

Princess. For, if the Prince had died in my be- 
half, 
I would ne'er more have turned my 
eyes on man, 



122 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



But in a convent would have passed 

my life, 
And yet I hope- — see, Marie, what has 

hap 'd. 
I hope the other warrior was not 
harmed. 
Duke. 0, blackamoors die not so easily. 

He lost his stirrup in the charge, 

that's all, 
And almost fell, but that means he 
has lost. 
Marie. He seems to be unharmed. 

Princess. I'm glad of that. 

I would not wish that any man be 

harmed 
In my behalf. 
Duke. Then should you veil your face, 

And hide your eyes, and hood your 

chestnut locks; 
For gallant men will fight for women 's 

smiles 
So long as maids are fair. 
Princess. What do they now ? 

Marie. The Prince comes riding through the 

castle's gate. 
He'll be here in a trice. 
(Duke and Marie descend.) 
Princess. I 'm calmer now. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



123 



And I can welcome him, but had it 
hap'd 

That he had wounded been 

Duke. I told you oft 

That could not be. 
Princess. I should have had more faith. 

Duke. A maid, who puts her trust in knightly 

hands, 
Should have a faith such as will moun- 
tains move. 
Marie. Here comes the Prince. 

(Enter Prince and Raymond at 
right.) 
Princess. Good welcome back again ! 

You've done a gallant deed most gal- 
lantly, 
And I am so beholden unto you 
That scarce I know what I should 
say. 
Prince. Say naught, 

For I am more beholden unto you. 
In that I met your foeman in the field 
And won your cause, and, that he 

should withdraw 
His claims on you, fills my heart with 
delight. 
Princess. Ah, that may be, but, pray you, bear 
in mind 



124 ROMANTIC DRAMAS 

That you have saved my life, for I'd 

have died 
If I'd been forced to wed that black- 
amoor, 
My honor too, for it were shame to 

wed 
A man for whom there is no love in 

me, 
My country too, for I'd have lost my 

throne, 
And there should be reward fit for 

the work 
That you have done. So, say what 

you will have, 
For all I have is yours. Take what 

you will. 
Prince. I ask for no reward, no recompense. 

"Were your possessions tenfold what 

they are 
I would not wish a recompense from 

you; 
Yet, not as a reward, but as a gift 
I ask for all. I ask you for yourself, 
Your heart, your hand, your very soul, 

your love. 
(Kneels on one knee.) 
See, at your feet I kneel, because I 

love! 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



125 



See, at your feet I kneel, and ask your 

heart, 
But with your love. — I would not 

have it else. 
{Princess offers her hand which 
Prince takes. He rises.) 
Princess. I would not have you kneeling at my 

feet, 
I would not have my love so humbly 

ask 
For what is his. 
Prince. (Erect.) You give me then your 

love? 
Princess. If you will clasp my throbbing breast 

'gainst thine, 
And press your lips 'gainst mine, that 

yet to man 
Are virgin lips, you'll find, my love, 

I yield 
My whole heart at thy touch. 
Prince. (Embracing and kissing her.) I love 

thy lips, 
That rosy as the dawn seem in my 

eyes; 
I love thy eyes, in which the lovelight 

gleams ; 
I love thy hair, bright with its threads 

of gold; 



126 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



I love thy face, o'er which with ev'ry 

thought 
There steals a glow, fresh from thy 

throbbing breast; 
I love thyself, the woman that's thy- 
self. 
Wish me great joy, good friends. 
Princess. And me also; 

For there is naught in music or in 

art, — 
Or in this world — that can compare 

with love, 
And it has filled my very soul with 
bliss. 
Marie. I told you that he was a gallant 

knight. 
Raymond. This end I think will justify the 

means. 
Duke. And yet 'tis no bad thing that your 

estates 
Lie side by side with hers, as I have 
said. 
Prince. Estates! Go to! What are estates 

to me? 
I'd wed her, if she were a beggar 
maid. 
Princess. And I 'd wed you, if in my land you 'd 
strayed 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



127 



A wand 'ring troubadour among the 
throng, 

"Who came to win my kingdom for a 
song. 

(All move to rear while Fairy Queen 
and fairies enter quickly at right 
and advance.) 
Fairy Q. It has, through all the ages, been 
the rule 

That, when the Princess of Provence 
shall yield 

Her heart and hand unto a loving 
swain, 

The fairies of Provence shall seek her 
home, 

And give her welcome unto fairy- 
land, 

"Where all true lovers go, when they 
are wed. 

And so we've come, and now we wel- 
come say, 

And give the freedom of our fairy 
land 

To you, fair Princess, and to you, 
brave Prince. 

(Enter Cupid at right, and advances.) 
Fairy Q. Why there comes Cupid, hastening to 
this spot. 



128 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



What do you here, you most vexatious 
elf? 
Cupid. At such a time who'd be here save 

myself ? 
Fairy Q. But this is fairy-land. 
Cupid. Well, all the more 

Should I be here, for search this 

planet o'er, 
From pole to pole, you will not find a 

spot 
That can be fairy-land where I am 

not. 
And I the power have at my command 
To turn a desert to a fairy-land. 
Fairy Q. Who comes here now? (Hymen at 
door.) 

(Enter Hymen at right, and ad- 
vances.) 
Cupid. 'Tis Hymen, and you'll find, 

When I have come, he seldom lags 
behind. 
Hymen. What say you, Cupid? Have you 

done your part? 
Cupid. You'll find my arrow in each lover's 

heart, 
Implanted there with my consummate 
art. 
Hymen. 'Tis well. Then I'm in time. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



129 



Fairy Q. Thus Hymen steals 

Upon the scene, close on winged Cu- 
pid 's heels. 
Cupid. Not so; for Hymen sometimes goes 

ahead, 
But cold must be that sort of mar- 
riage bed. 
Fairy Q. "When, Hymen, will you fix the wed- 
ding day? 
Hymen. What can be better than the month 

of May? 
Fairy Q. Then will we for them sing a wedding 

lay. 
Fairies. (Sing.) 

When comes the lovely month of May, 

And in the groves dance elf and fay, 

And Mab rides o'er the turf in 

state, 
And merles, and doves, and swal- 
lows mate, 
And merry children idly play 
In all the woods, where brooklets 
stray, 
And lovers, at each garden gate, 
At eve for charming maidens wait, 
When comes the lovely month of May 
Why, then will dawn their wedding 
day; 



130 ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



And we'll be merry for the nonce 
When Langnedoc shall wed Prov- 
ence. 

Curtain. 



II. 

Miriam ; 
A Tragedy in Five Acts. 



CHARACTERS. 

Licinius, 'Roman 'Emperor. 

Charos, Captain of the guard. 

Jason, Clerk of the Court. 

Simon Malachi, a necromancer. 

Thanos, leader of the Dacians. 

Proclus, chamberlain to Emperor. 

Aspar, a Jewish priest. 

Narses, a hired bravo. 

Courier. 

Messengers. 

Servants. 

Courtiers. 

Miriam, wife of Simon, afterwards Empress. 

Nerea, cousin of Emperor. 

Lydia, servant to Miriam. 

Ladies of the Court. 

Time.— 320 A. D. 
Place. — Byzantium. 
Costumes. — Ancient. 

Right and left refer to the actors on the stage 
facing the audience. 

133 



134 < ROMANTIC DRAMAS 

Act I. — Morning. 

One day elapses between Act I and 
Act II. 
Act II. — Morning. 

One month elapses between Act II 
and Act III. 
Act III. — Morning. 

Acts Illy IV, and V, all occur on the 
same day. 
Act IV.— Early Afternoon. 
Act. V. — Late Afternoon. 



ACT I. 

Scene. — The Forum of Byzantium. 

Temples, etc., in the background. In the fore- 
ground, towards left, is a large seat, slightly raised, 
from which on each side in a semi-circle runs a 
bench. In front of the seat, near centre, are a desk 
and chair for the Clerk of the Court. 

As the curtain rises Charos is seen seated in the 
large chair, and Jason at the Clerk' 's desk. Of- 
ficers of the Court and soldiers are standing. Be- 
fore Charos stand a prisoner, and an officer in 
charge of him. 

Charos. (Seated in chair, to prisoner.) 

Your crime was murder. That was 
clearly proved. 

A brutal murder 'twas, without ex- 
cuse 

Save greed. For that there 's but one 
punishment, 

And that is present death. Take him 
away, 

135 



136 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



And let him expiate his crime forth- 
with ! 
{Officer leads off prisoner at left 

rear.) 
{To Jason.) 
Is there aught else to vex my mind 

to-day ? 
Jason. No one can tell who yet may hither 

come; 
For, till yon hour-glass has run its 

course, 
The Court must open be, the Judge 

must sit 
That all, who choose, may tell their 

grievances. 

Charos. {Rising and coming down from the 

"bench.) 

That is the heavy burden of a judge, 

To loll upon a bench till suitors come, 

To sit and wait. Come, Jason, walk 

with me. 
{Jason rises and advances.) 
We'll stretch our wearied limbs since 

suitors fail. 
{Both walk slowly up and down at 

front.) 
I hate this work. I hate the very 

name 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 137 

This broad place bears. The Forum's 

but the spot 
Where's placed the judge's bench to 

which I 'm tied, 
Like some poor slave unto the galley's 

seat. 
Jason. There must be judges. 

Charos. Yes; but I'm not one 

"Who'd sit half-dozing on a cushioned 

bench, 
And listen to men 's silly vaporings 
With weary ears. I am a soldier born, 
And I'd lead men to meet embattled 

hosts 
On fields, where death may come or 

victory. 
I love the flash of swords, the clash 

of arms, 
The wild, mad charge of serried ranks 

of men 
Against the waiting foe. There's joy 

in war. 
There's life in conflict. That's what 

stirs the blood, 
And makes it stream through ev'ry 

artery 
Like molten lava, in the mountain's 

breast, 



138 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



And gives a vim to life, that makes it 

worth 
The living. 
Jason. Yes. Still peace has glories too; 

And it is honorable to sit as judge. 
Charos. Honor! Bah, bah! To sit and 

mutely hear 
The petty squabbles of a petty race, 
"Where filthy lucre's all there is at 

stake, 
And ev'ry tale's bedecked with per- 
jury! 
That seems not honorable. 'Tis 

cruelty 
To place me here, when I could lead 

brave troops 
To glory in the field. 
Jason. If there were war. 

Charos. Why, there is always war, and, if 

there's not, 
Naught is so easy as to start a 

war, 
For man's a fighting brute. But I 

must sit 
Upon yon tiresome bench, and deftly 

sift 
The truth from this man's lies and 

that man's lies, 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



139 



Just as the sieve the grain parts from 

the husk, 
And make no protest, though I know 

they lie. 
{They halt near judicial seat; noise 
heard from people outside at left 
front.) 
Crowd. {Outside at left.) 

Stone him ! Stone him ! 
Charos. {Taking seat.) What does this up- 

roar mean ? 
{Jason sits at his desk — Enter Simon 
at left front, cringing as if fright- 
ened; Miriam enters, erect and fac- 
ing the crowd, and moves slowly 
backward; the crowd follows her.) 
Officer. Let there be order here ! 
Charos. For what come ye? 

Crowd. Stone him ! Stone him ! 

Officer. Let there be order here ! 

Charos. Let one man speak! 

{Simon and Miriam at centre front; 
Aspar at front more to left; crowd 
at left front.) 
Aspar. {Motioning to crowd.] 

ness, I will speak. 



Behold this 

Simon.) 



man 



Your High- 
{Pointing to 



140 ROMANTIC DRAMAS 

He's breeding anarchy 

Among the folk, of whom I am the 
priest. 
Charos. That is a crime of which the State 

takes note. 

How breeds he anarchy? "What has 
he done? 
Aspar. He leads my folk astray with cun- 

ning tricks, 

And of religion makes a mockery 

By pretence that the future he can 
tell, 

When ev'ry human knows the fu- 
ture's held 

Within the hollow of the Almighty's 
hand. 

And this man claims — e 'en at the tem- 
( pie's door — 

That he can with the spirits of the 
dead 

Communion hold, and solve life 's mys- 
teries ; 

And, with blasphemous mummeries, 
he'd lead 

My folk to a belief in divination. 

And he has so aroused my acolytes 

That they would stone him. 
Crowd. Stone him ! Stone him ! 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



141 



Charos. ( To Simon, ) 

What say you to this charge ? 
Simon. I pray you hear. 

I but pursue my trade — a legal one, 
For which I hold a license from the 

Court — 
Wherein of priestly craft there is no 

need; 
And to the priests that is a stumbling 
block. 
Charos. It well may be. 

{To Aspar.) Is that all that you 

charge ? 
Aspar. He leads my folk astray with doc- 

trines false. 
Charos. This is a Roman land. Belief is 

free. 
There are a dozen faiths held in this 

land. 
Think you a Roman judge will one 

destroy ? 
There's nothing in your charge. Let 
him go free. 
Crowd. Stone him ! Stone him ! 

Charos. (To officer.) Take two men of your 

troop, 
And guard this man. And, if a stone 
be thrown — 



142 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



If but a single stone be thrown at 

him — 
Hang him who throws it, if you hang 

the mob 
To find him out. 

(To Aspar.) Go, worship in your way, 
And let all other folk think as they 

will. 
(Exeunt mob and Aspar at left 
front.) 
Charos. {To Simon.) 

You do not go. The troops will keep 
you safe. 
Simon. Your highness, pardon me. 'Twas to 

this Court 
That we, my wife and I, were on our 

way 
"When by this mob attacked. 
Charos. What want you here? 

Simon. Your highness knows me, Simon Mala- 

chi? 
Charos. As well as one can know one of your 
race, 
Who in secretiveness outrank the 

world. 
You're Simon Malachi, soothsayer, 
Who trades upon the ignorance of 
men 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



143 



And women, who believe you can fore- 
tell 
Their future lives, when you know not 

your own. 
Simon. But 'tis a trade, your highness, like 

the rest. 
"What I would sell some other folk 

would buy. 
The merchant, doctor, lawyer, priest 

all trade 
Upon the ignorance of men. 
Charos. Perchance ! 

For most of them have little honesty, 
And less of skill. What is it you'd 

have here ? 
Simon. Your highness, I am told that, by your 

laws, 
WTien married folk appear before a 

judge, 
And ask that they be freed, the Court 

will grant 
Their freedom from the marriage 

yoke. 
Charos. 'Tis so. 

The law will break the yoke, if both 

consent. 
Wish you to be divorced ? 
Simon. That is my wish. 



144 fc 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



I would be freed. And I've brought 

Miriam here. 
She is my wife. 
Charos. What's wrong about your wife? 

You must be overnice, if shell not 

suit, 
For she seems fair as Aphrodite. 
And she has courage too. Why, like 

a man 
With hot blood dancing in his ev'ry 

vein, 
She faced that howling mob. I like 

that kind. 
A woman's beauty's to delight men's 

eyes; 
Her courage is to buoy up their 

hearts 
In time of stress by child-like fear- 
lessness. 
Simon". Nay, nay! I did not say that there's 

aught wrong. 
Miriam. He dare not say that there's aught 

wrong with me. 
I've been an honest wife since I was 

wed. 
His will has been my law, his home 

my care. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



145 



In naught have I gainsaid his slight- 
est word. 
Simon. Nay, nay, I have not made the least 

complaint. 
I would not part with you, if I could 

help. 
I'd gladly keep you as my wife. 
Charos. (To Miriam.) And you, 

Would you say aught? Wish you to 

be divorced? 
Miriam. Because this ingrate has me in his 

power, 
Because there's nothing here for 

womankind, 
There's nothing for a woman in this 

land 
Except to be a wife to such as he, 
Or be an abject slave, or that vile 

thing, 
That flaunts her gaudy robes upon the 

street, 
With painted cheeks and locks of 

golden hue, 
To tempt the passer by to buy her 

charms, 
And make of her a beast, of him a 

beast, 



146 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



He 'd sell me, as a slave unto a wretch, 
A loathsome wretch, who cast his 

greedy eyes 
Upon my face, and covets what he 

saw. 
Charos. What say you, Simon, unto her com- 
plaint? 
Simon. Your highness list, I beg, unto my 

plea. 
Charos. {To Jason.) 

Now listen, Jason, if you'd hear the 

worse 
Presented as the better cause, unless 
His tongue has lost its cunning. 
{To Simon.) I listen. 

Now then, soothsayer, put your tale 

in words. 
Simon. Soothsayer is my trade, as you have 

said; 
But there have lately come men of my 

sort, 
"Who tell the future by some novel 

means, 
Unknown to me, which they have 

learned abroad, 
And so the foolish crowds swarm 

round their doors, 
For mortals ever crave a novelty; 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



147 



Charos. 
Simon. 



Charos. 
Simon. 



Miriam. 



But one must live and must live by 

his trade. 
In Egypt I can learn the mysteries 

From her high priests 

{Interrupting.) Mere childish mum- 



mery 



Perhaps, but apt to catch the public 

eye, 
And fill all foolish minds with won- 
derment, 
And bring the means of living to my 

purse. 
Well, go to Egypt ! 

Gladly would I go. 
But priests give naught for naught, 

and I 've no gold ; 
So, as I've nothing else but her to 

sell, 
I'll sell my wife. I bought her, when 

I wed, 
And to her father paid the price he 

asked. 
She's mine to keep or sell. 

He bought me! 
I ne'er had seen his face, before I 

wed; 
Nor was I asked would I or would I 

not; 



148 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



Simon. 



Miriam. 



But, having wed, I craved a woman's 

lot. 
I would have lived an honest woman's 

life, 
Had little children climbing on my 

knee, 
And had a home, wherein to pass my 

days 
In that seclusion that a woman 

seeks, 
Until the passing years turned into 

snow 
My raven locks, and till, with all my 

kin 
Engathered round my bed, I passed 

away. 
Bah, bah! 'Twas all a woman's fool- 
ish dream. 
And now this wretch would sell me 

for a price. 
I would not part with you, if I could 

help; 
For I would gladly have you by my 

side; 
But one must live, and must live by 

his trade. 
Live by his trade! Why should you 

live at all? 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



149 



Charos. 
Simon. 



Charos. 
Simon. 

Charos. 

Simon. 

Charos. 



Live by his trade! A man, who's fit 

to live, 
Will find a trade, and, if a trade 

serves not, 
Another 11 find, or dig, if that must 

be, 
The garbage in the street to keep his 

home 
A sacred spot, his wife beyond re- 
proach : 
But you — you'd sell the woman, whom 

you wed, 
That you may live at ease. Had you 

a soul 
That's worth more than the mud that 

soils the streets, 
You'd scorn such beastliness. 
{To Simon.) Has some one bid 

The price you ask? 

A man has bid the price 
I paid for her, three hundred drachma 

gold. 
Who bids that price? 

Your highness knows him well ; 
'Tis Simon Barnabas. 

The usurer ? 
Yes, that is he. 

He 's eighty, if a day. 



150 ROMANTIC DRAMAS 

Simon. One loses not all taste by growing 

old. 
Age stales not all the passions of a 

man, 
And love for women dies the last of 

all; 
So all the dotards, who have gathered 

wealth, 
Would purchase female loveliness for 
cash. 
Charos. But why divorce? Why seek you a 

divorce ? 
Simon. Old Simon's overnice. While she's 

my wife 
He will not buy. 
Charos. He 's overshrewd, you mean. 

He knows your game. Some hus- 
bands will connive 
At their own shame to profit gain 
thereby. 
Simon. Your highness knows me better. 

Charos. Yes, I know. 

What can this woman do ? She 's fair 

enough 
To grace a Court, and I have present 

need 
To send unto the throne a pleasing 
gift, 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



151 



That I be not forgot. Can she do 

aught 
To please a king? 
Simon. She can both sing, and dance, 

And play upon the harp. 
Charos. Would you prefer 

That I should buy before the usurer? 
I'll pay your price. 
Simon. I care not who may buy, 

So that I have the cash to meet my 
need. 
Charos. {To Miriam.) 

What say you then? 
Miriam. Is it this country's law 

That he can sell me if he choose ? 
Charos. It is. 

He bought you from your father at a 

price, 
And, till that price is rendered him 

again, 
He holds you as a pledge. 
Miriam. A female child ! 

Why should a father bring such in the 

world, 
Where she '11 have naught of life save 

what she'll get 
From mercy of mankind? — If it be 
true, 



152 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



As you have said, that he has such a 

right, 
To sell my body in the open mart. 
I 'd not be sold unto the usurer 
To be the plaything of a senile rake. 
Pay him the price he asks, and let him 
go. 
Charos. {To Jason.) 

Give him the cash! 
{Jason gives money to Simon.) 
{To Simon.) Count it! 
Simon. {Counts money.) 'Tis quite correct. 

I thank your highness. 
Miriam. Hold ! Is it complete ? 

Am I forever freed, so that this man 
Can make no claim on me as wife or 
slave ? 
Charos. It is complete. You're free as is a bird 

Loosed from the nets. 
Miriam. {To Simon.) Go then! See me no 

more! 
Simon. "When I have won a fortune in the 

Bast 
I will return, and buy you back again ; 
For you're the only woman I have 
loved. 
Miriam. You loved! The very words should 
scorch your tongue ! 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



153 



Charos. 

Jason. 

Charos. 



Simon. 



You know no more of love than does 

the beast, 
That gratifies his passion on his 

mate. 
'Tween us a wall so high has been 

raised up 
That e'en ambition, with its iron 

claws 
That clutch at ev'ry thing, could not 

climb o'er. 
And love, — bah, love would find its 

wings too frail 
To lift it o'er that bar. Go! Go 

your way, 
And never let me see your face again ! 
(To Jason.) Has their divorce been 

entered on the books ? 
It is complete. 

Then, Simon, go your way 
As she has said. Tour business here 

is done. 
But one must live, and must live by 

his trade; 
And I will go where I can learn my 

trade ; 
And, when I've learned it, I'll come 

back again. 
(Exit Simon at left front.) 



154 ROMANTIC DRAMAS 

Miriam. Thy servant waits for thy com- 

mands. 
Charos. {Leaving chair.) I pray 

That you will sit. 

(Miriam sits on seat at left.) 

(To Jason.) The hour ? has it run? 

Jason. The sand has run its course. 

Charos. Then I am free. 

I'm like a captive from a tread-mill 

loosed, 
And I can throw my trammels off. 
(Takes off judicial robe.) 
Jason. ( Rising. ) And I ? 

Charos. You, Jason, too are free, and all my 
men. 
(Exeunt Jason, officers and soldiers at 

left rear.) 
(To Miriam, who rises as he speaks.) 
I should not wish that you should feel 

that I 
Will hold you bound, save at your 

will. Go free, 
If that best please, but, if you wish to 

live 
At Court, you're fair enough to please 

a king, 
And I will send you there. 
Miriam. You're very kind. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



155 



Charos. 



Miriam. 



Charos. 



Servant. 
Charos. 



I like your words. I'm little used to 

such. 
And I am glad you saved me from 

that wretch, 
The usurer. You cannot know the joy 
That fills my breast, now that I 'm free 

from him. 
He is a wretch. A woman, fair as 

you, 
Should have a better fate. 

I am content; 
For you have saved me from that 

cruel doom, 
And earned my gratitude, and all my 

life 
1 11 owe you thanks. 

I could not see you sacrificed. 
(Enter servant hurriedly at right 

front,) 
The lady Nerea awaits without. 
0, beg her to come here ! 

(Exit servant.) 

(To Miriam.) I pray you wait 

Upon that seat till I return again. 

(Miriam sits on seat at left; Charos 

to right. Enter servants at right 

front, hearing a palanquin, which 

they place at right front. Charos 



156 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



pulls aside the curtains, and helps 
Nerea out. Servants exeunt at 
right.) 
Charos. You've come then, Nerea, to see me 

here ? 
Nerea. Straight from the Court. 

Charos. This is most kind of you ; 

For I fret much that I am forced to 

stay 
Here at this place, when I would be 

at Court, 
And see you oft. 
Nerea. Well, I have news for you, 

Good news, that will delight your 

heart I'm sure. 
On yesterday the Captain of the 



Charos. 


glUUU 

(Interrupting.) 




The Captain of the guard! Why, 




what of him? 


Nerea. 


He 's dead ! 


Charos. 


The Captain of the guard has died ? 


Nerea. 


On yesterday. 


Charos. 


I had not heard of war ; 




Not e 'en a rumor had I heard of war. 




Where is the war? 


Nerea. 


'Twas by an accident 




He lost his life. 


Charos. 


Ah, then there is no war ! 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



157 



Nerea. I straightway went unto the Emperor, 

And begged the place for you. I am, 

you know, 
A cousin to my liege. 
Charos. Yes, yes! What hap'd? 

Nerea. Why, as our monarch knew how fit you 
are 

To fill the place, 

Charos. (Interrupting.) The Captain of the 

guard ! 
Nerea. He heard my prayer, and chose you for 

the place. 
See, I have brought the patent for the 

post. 
Like you what I have done? 

(Offers parchment.) 

Charos. (Takes parchment.) I scarce can find 

The words to say my thanks. Your 

gracious act 
Has beggared me of words, and yet 

my heart 
Is full as some great sea, that's scarce 

confined 
Within its native banks. It is the 

post 
Of all those at the Court that I would 

hold; 
For it is suited to a warrior. 



158 ROMANTIC DRAMAS 

Nerea. 'Twas well then that I sought the Em- 

peror, 
And asked in your behalf. 
Charos. It comes through you; 

And doubled is its worth because of 
that. 
Nerea. 0, I'm so glad, so glad that you are 

pleased! 
Charos. It is new life, it is great joy you give, 
Since I will be at hand when first the 

news 
Of war comes to the Court, and may, 

perchance, 
Be chosen to command, because I'm 
there. 
Nerea. And nothing else ? 

Charos. Why, I will be with you, 

On ev'ry day, until the time has sped 
That you have fixed for mourning 
your dead sire. 
Nerea. 'Twill make life doubly sweet to have 

you there, 
"Where I can see you through the pass- 
ing hours, 
And hear your voice, and look into 

your eyes, 
And wish, as oft I wish, the day had 
come 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



159 



When we might wed. 
Charos. I likewise wish that oft. 

Nerea. Yet there's respect due to the dead. 

Charos. In truth 

I would not wish that you should 

leave undone 
Aught due your father's memory. 
Nerea. But still 

I dread, I dread. 
Charos. Dread what? 

Nerea. I know not what. 

But there's a premonition in my 

soul — 
Perhaps 'tis from the gods — that we '11 
not wed. 
Charos. Believe it not. 'Tis but a foolish 
thought, 
"Without a jot of truthfulness behind. 
Nerea. But there are many lovely maids at 

Court, 
And you may be misled by their bright 

eyes, 
And dainty forms, and lovely smiles. 
Charos. In truth 

There are fair women at our liege's 

Court, 
But there are handsome men to tempt 
the eyes 



160 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



Of maidens fair. And think you that 
I fear 

That Nerea will find another man 

More fair than I ? That cloak of jeal- 
ousy, 

You wear too oft, throw to the howl- 
ing winds, 

And let them sweep it to oblivion ; 

For 'tis an ugly garment for a 
maid, 

And spoils all loveliness. 
Nerea. Ah, you're a man, 

And cannot understand. 'Tis with 
her heart 

A woman loves. A man loves with his 
brain. 

He fancies one fair maid, but, when 
she's won, 

He would another seek. The steeple's 
cock, 

That dances 'round the circle with the 
wind, 

Is not more fickle than a man. 
Charos. Fear not ! 

There may be fairer maids, I know 
them not. 

There may be lovelier forms, I see 
them not. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



161 



Some eyes may brighter shine, but not 

for me. 
Tis Nerea alone, who charms my 

eyes. 
Her voice is music sweet as birdling 's 

song, 
And in my heart's enshrined her 
phantasy. 
Nerea. May that be true ! Who is that wom- 

an there? 
Charos. She was the wife of Simon Malachi, 
The wizard, and her name is Miriam. 
Nerea. What does she here ? 

Charos. Her husband brought her here 

To be divorced. 
Nerea. But why keep you her here ? 

Since she's divorced why not send 
her away? 
Charos. Why, when I learned that she could 
dance and sing, 
'Twas my intent to send her to the 

Court. 
The Emperor loves music and the 

dance ; 
And thus I hoped to keep myself in 

mind; 
For he who's out of sight is soon for- 
got. 



162 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



But, now that you have brought such 

joyous news, 
I '11 take this woman to the throne my- 
self. 
She'll be my gift of thanks. 
Nerea. I fear your gift 

"Will our undoing be. (Miriam rises.) 
She comes this way. 
Charos. "Why should she not come hither, if 
she choose? 
What harm ? 
Nerea. I know not, but there's in my heart 

A dread of her. Put me within my 

coach. 
(Charos helps her in, and Reckons 
servants, who enter at right.) 
Nerea. Now draw the curtains, and I'll say 

adieu 
Until to-morrow dawns. Bid them 

go on! 
(Charos draws curtain, and by mo- 
tions directs servants, who bear off 
palanquin at right. Meanwhile 
Miriam has slowly advanced to 
right.) 
Miriam. I would have seen the lady of your 
choice 
More near. Is she a lady fair? 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



163 



Charos. 



Miriam. 



Charos. 
Miriam. 



Charos. 



Miriam. 
Charos. 



Miriam. 
Charos. 
Miriam. 



Why, yes ; 
She's 'mong the fairest in our mon- 
arch's Court. 
She well might be, since you have 

chosen her. 
I would have seen. 

You'll see her at the Court. 
Ah, at the Court ! Think you that one 

like me 
Can hold her own with ladies of the 

Court? 
"Why, if I am a judge, you need not 

fear 
Comparison with any there. 

With her? 
You're different in your types, as 

birds may be 
And yet be beautiful, but none can 

say 
That you're not fair. 

She went when I drew near. 
'Tis true she went. 

She went when I drew 

near. 
That is to-day. To-morrow 'twill be 

so; 
And then to-morrow, while we both 

shall live ; 



164 f . ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



For I foresee a struggle 'tween us 

twain, 
And one will gain,— the other 11 seek 

in vain. 

Curtain. 



ACT II. 

Scene. — Throne room in palace of Emperor. At 
rear, near centre, is a low throne, — large doorway 
at left rear, — smaller doorway at right rear, — door- 
way on left and on right, — curtains at doorways. 

{Enters Charos at right rear, followed by bearers 
of a palanquin.) 

Charos. Put it down there ! 

{Bearers put down palanquin.) 
{Charos opens palanquin, and helps 

Miriam to alight.) 
{To bearers.) "Wait outside till you're 

called. 
{Bearers exeunt ivith palanquin at 

right rear.) 
"Why, 'tis a miracle wrought in a 

night ! 
I scarcely can believe that it is you, 
You're such a vision of great loveli- 
ness. 
I did not dream that you could be so 
fair. 

165 



166 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



Your face, your eyes, your hair are all 
the same, 

Yet different. Perhaps 'tis your at- 
tire. 
Miriam. The setting of a jewel should enhance 

The beauty of the gem; a picture's 
frame 

"Will make, or mar, the artist's deftest 
work. 

So acts the garb a woman wears. 
Dress her 

To suit her fancy, and her charming 
robes 

Will make more lovely ev'ry loveli : 
ness. 

You like my garb? 
Charos. Why, when I bade you choose 

Such garments as would best adorn 
your form, 

And best would please a jaded mon- 
arch's eyes, 

There came no thought of such ex- 
quisite taste ; 

Nor did I dream that or your face or 
form 

Would so become the niceties of dress. 

There'll be none in the Court more 
fair than you. 



Miriam. 
Charos. 
Miriam. 



Charos. 



Miriam, 



Charos. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 

What, not Nerea? 



167 



Nay, not even she. 

I'm glad that I have pleased by my 
array ; 

For when one has the liberty to 
choose 

Whate'er's most fit, why then it is 
one's task 

To pick such garb as is most sure to 
charm. 

You've more than pleased. You've 
added to your eyes 

A newer light, such as the stars dis- 
play 

When moonless is the night; and to 
your form 

Has come a newer grace, and e'en 
your face 

Shows loveliness I scarce had seen be- 
fore. 

You are most kind. 

(Offers hand, which he kisses.) 
But, now that I am here, 

What is it that you mean to do with 
me? 

I scarcely know; but yesterday I 
thought 

That I'd present you to the Emperor, 



168 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



Miriam. 
Charos. 
Miriam. 

Charos. 
Miriam. 

Charos. 



That you might live here in his pal- 
ace home 

Among the artists, who delight his 
Court : 

But now I hesitate. 

Why hesitate ? 

I did not know you were so fair. 

'Tis that 

That makes you hesitate? 

'Tis only that. 

Tell me what you had planned on yes- 
terday. 

The Emperor is old, with wearied 
eyes 

And jaded tastes, and yet would be 
amused. 

He has a fancy for all kinds of art, 

For singers, and for players on the 
lute ; 

And he has gathered many in his 
home, 

For those, who please, live in his pal- 
ace here. 

You sing, and play upon the lute, and 
dance ; 

And, if you please, you'll form one of 
his Court, 

And live in luxury. "Will such a life 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



169 



Be such as you would wish? 
Miriam. Will you be here? 

Charos. In truth I am the Captain of his 
guard, 
And, save in time of war, I must live 
here. 
Miriam. Then will I try to please. 

Charos. Because I'm here. 

Miriam. Because Now will I do my best 

to please. 
(Enter Nerea at large door at left 
rear, — she moves towards centre.) 
Nerea. The Emperor is waiting for his 

guard. 
And here's its Captain dallying — or 
worse. 
Charos. I'll haste. I did not note the hour of 
day. 
(To Miriam, pointing to right.) 
I pray you wait in yonder ante-room. 
(Exit Charos at left rear quickly.) 
Nerea. (Looking after him; Miriam moves 

slowly.) Without one word he goes, 

as if I were 
Naught more to him than dust be- 
neath his feet. 
(To Miriam sharply.) 
Why came you here? (Miriam halts.) 



170 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



Miriam. 
Nerea. 



Miriam. 

Nerea. 
Miriam. 



Nerea. 
Miriam. 



I came not; I was brought. 

Arrayed in garments made of costly 
stuffs, 

And with rich ornaments of gold be- 
decked, 

And with fine jewels dangling round 
your neck. 

In hopes that I might please. 

A gilded doll! 

That's what a woman is, a charming 
toy 

For grown-up boys. 

I'd scorn such a career. 

I'd be a woman, not a gilded doll. 

You'd scorn it! Why? Because re- 
morseless Fate, 

That makes most mortals poor, has 
made you rich. 

We women, all, yourself as well as I, 

Are but the slaves of our environ- 
ment. 

Unless one has the beauty that will 
win 

The fancy of a man, or herits wealth, 

A woman's but a plaything for a 
man; 

For man, who rules the world, has 
willed it so. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



171 



Nerea. You think yourself of far too much 

import. 

This beauty that you boast's a frail 
support. 
Miriam. Not while it lasts. It has torn off a 
crown, 

Made nations slaves, o'erturned old 
dynasties, 

And raised a common soldier to a 
throne. 

All history's the record of the deeds 

Of this man or of that, and he was 
ruled 

By some fair woman, who had beau- 
ty's power. 
Nerea, Bah, bah! Your beauty's but a tran- 

sient gift 

The gods have lent, and, when they 
take it back, 

You'll be tossed in the street. 
Miriam. Of that no doubt. 

For Time, that beauty steals, kills all 
our power. 

Howe'er, if one has had! — None 
should expect 

That happiness will be an endless joy. 

Time spares no woman, and 'twill 
come to you, 



172 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



As 'twill to me, when years have 

staled our charms, 
They'll call ns both, — us both — they'll 

call us hags. 
(Enter Emperor and suite at left rear 
— Charos leads at the head of the 
guards — Emperor advances to 
throne and sits — Nerea moves for- 
ward and stands near the throne — 
Miriam moves off right to ante- 
room — Ladies and gentlemen of the 
Court grouped around.) 
Emperor. How like you, Charos, your new Cap- 
taincy ? 
Charos. Naught that your Majesty could do 
for me 
Could please me more. I am a sol- 
dier born, 
And better as a soldier, than a judge, 
I'll serve your Majesty. 
Emperor. I've watched you long 

And know your worth, and our fair 

cousin here 
Plead strongly for my grace in your 
behalf. 
Nerea. 'Twas that I'd give unto your Maj- 

esty 
One worthy of the post. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



173 



Charos. A grateful heart 

Gives thanks to both. And I would 

humbly beg 

Emperor. Well, well, what now? What further 
would you have? 
You should not be too greedy in de- 
mands. 
Charos. Your Majesty has given me such joy, 
And I so wish to please you in re- 
turn, 
That I now beg that you will gra- 
ciously 
Permit that I may bring a singer here, 
Who'll please both eyes and ears. 
Emperor. Why, if you've such, 

Let her come here, for singers in our 

Court 
Are scarce enough, and beauty is a 

gift 
The gods are chary of. 
Charos. She yonder waits 

Until your Majesty bids her approach. 
Emperor. Where found you her? 
Charos. 'Twas yesterday in court, 

Where I sat on a bench to hear com- 
plaints. 
Her husband came, a suitor for di- 
vorce 



174 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



Emperor. 

Charos. 

Emperor. 



Charos. 



Emperor. 



Because lie wished to sell lier for a 

price 
To Simon Barnabas. 

The usurer? 
That is the man. 

I 've known him many years, 
And sad would be a woman's fate 

with him. 
'Twas so I thought, and finding she 

could sing, 
And play upon the lute, and knowing 

well 
That you are fond of beauty and of 

art, 
I've brought her here, and, if she 

chance to please, 
Perhaps you'll find her worthy of 

your Court. 
Why, if she sings and sings not an- 
cient songs, 
Of which we've weary grown, there's 

room enough 
Among our artist-band. Let her come 

here 
And make essay. 

(Charos goes to right and exit at right 
near rear.) 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



175 



Nerea. But should your Majesty 

Bring in a foreign woman to your 

Court? 
She is not of our country or our race. 
Emperor. Art has no country, has no race. 'Tis 

born 
In ev'ry land, in ev'ry rank in life. 
It's cradled in a palace or a cot. 
{Enter at right, near rear, Charos and 

Miriam and advance slowly.) 
"We ask, not whence it came, but is it 

art. 
"We nothing care about an artist's 

birth ; 
His work is all the ancestry he needs ; 
His art makes him a peer of poten- 
tates, 
And gives to him the freedom of all 

lands. 
(Charos and Miriam at centre front.) 
She 's wondrous fair, and, if she please 

our ears 
As she has pleased our eyes, then has 

our Court 
In her a worthy acquisition made. 
Nerea. I cannot see that she's so wondrous 

fair. 



176 ROMANTIC DRAMAS 

Emperor. A jealous eye can nothing lovely see 
In rival loveliness. Your greatest 

fault 
Is jealousy. 
{To Miriam.) You're welcome to our 

Court. 
It is our pleasure that you sing 

for us. 
And, if you know aught strange in 

words or form, 
We would hear that, for novelty has 
charms. 
Miriam. {To Charos.) 

Wish you that I should sing? 
Charos. If you'd please me 

So sing that you will charm his Maj- 
esty, 
For I have promised much in your 
behalf. 
Miriam. Then will I do my best. 

Charos. Pray do your best. 

Miriam. {Recitative.) 

'Tis a sound, that comes o'er the rag- 
ing sea, 
Whelming the tempest's roar; 
'Tis the heart-rending cry of misery 
From the souls afloat on a stormy 
sea 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 177 

On a ship on a rock-bound shore ; 
Above their boat darts the lightning's 

flash, 
Above their heads rolls the thunder's 
crash, 
And the sprays to the heavens soar 
Of the waves, that over the vessel 

leap, 
Of the waves, that over the vessel 
sweep, 
And drive her upon that shore. 

'Tis the awful sound of the horrible 

crash, 
That comes in the gloom of the 

night, 
As the waves all the water to white 

foam lash, 
As the waves on the rocks the frail 

ship dash 
With an ocean 's tremendous might ; 
And again comes the piteous human 

cry, 
As again darts the lightning across 

the sky, 
And shows by its flash of light 
The ship, swift crushed to a shape- 
less wreck, 



178 



EOMANTIC DRAMAS 



Emperor. 



Miriam. 



And mortals, who cling to a bit of its 
deck 
In an agony of fright. 

There 's silence upon the mighty deep, 

And the sun shows bright and red; 

No more o'er the waves the tempests 

sweep, 
Nor over the rocks the waters leap, 
For the howling storm has fled ; 
But the crew of that ship all sleep in 

their graves, 
Where the calm of the deep knows 
nothing of waves, 
In the slime of the ocean's bed, 
"Where they'll lie, through the ages, 

afar from the ken 
Of those, who have loved them among 
mortal men, 
Till the sea shall give up its dead. 

You cease too soon. For, when you 

sing your song, 
There is a charm about your face and 

form, 
That's doubled by the beauty of your 

voice. 
How are you called? 

My name is Miriam. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



179 



Emperor. I like the name. It's pleasant in the 
ear. 
And I would have yon 'mong my 

singers here 
To charm my mind, when I have need 
of song. 
Miriam. I thank your Majesty. 

{To Char os.) Are you well pleased? 
Charos. I'm more than pleased. You've 

charmed me with the rest. 
{Enter Proclus at left rear hastily, — 
advances.) 
Emperor. What would you here ? 
Proclus. A courier's outside, 

Who'd speak with you. 
Emperor. Let him come in ! 

We'll hear his messages; we'll hear 

him here. 
{Proclus goes to left rear, moves aside 
curtain, and Courier enters and ad- 
vances.) 
You enter here in haste. Your body's 

hot 
From rapid running, and your gasp- 
ing breath 
Chokes almost in your throat. What 

news bring you 
That warrants speed? 



180 ROMANTIC DRAMAS 

Courier. 1 bring news from the North. 

The Dacians have left their forest 

homes, 
And now are marching, many thou- 
sands strong, 
In war array with Thanos at their 

head. 
Emperor. So Thanos has again stirred up my 

foes. 
He is the ablest of their generals. 
Twice has he fought, twice has he been 

forgiven ; 
This time hell die. In what way 

came the news? 
Courier. Five couriers, of whom I am the last, 
In swift relays have hastened to your 

Court, 
That you might quickly send your 

forces North. 
Emperor. Then there is need for haste. Go you 

and rest! 
(Exit Courier at left rear.) 
(As if reflecting.) 
My troops must march at once. 

Whom shall I send 
To meet this foe? 
(To Char os.) Well, Charos, would 

you like 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



181 



To test your wits 'gainst Thanos in 

this fight, 

To try to win 'gainst such a warrior ? 

Charos. You could not offer what would please 

me more. 

I would not ask to live a better life, 

Or die a better death, if death should 

come, 
The very height of earthly happiness 
'Twould be to me. 
Nerea. I would not have you go. 

You may be killed. 
Charos. There's naught can hold me back. 

Think you I'd dally 'mong the maids 

at Court, 
When there's a chance to fight? 
Miriam. A warrior speaks 

As warriors should speak, when glory 
becks. 
Emperor. You are the youngest of my generals ; 
But here's your chance. The second 

legion take, 
And bring me Thanos here. 
Charos. I'll not delay; 

And, though no mortal fortune can 

command, 
I will deserve success. 
Emperor. (Leaving throne.) Deserve and win. 



182 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



Nerea. 
Emperor. 



Nerea. 
Emperor. 



Charos. 



Miriam. 



Ill write my order to the legion's 
chief 

To put you in command. 

(Taking Nere'd's hand.) This timid 
maid, 

Who fears that you 11 be killed, per- 
chance would like 

To send you on your way to victory. 

If he must go. 

Why, he's a warrior, 

And he must seek for glory in the 
field. 

Then will I send him forth to victory. 

Come then, and you shall bring my 
mandate here. 

So bide you, Charos, here till she re- 
turns. 

It is your will, my liege, and I obey. 

(Exeunt at left rear Emperor, Nerea, 
and all the others except Charos 
and Miriam.) 

(To Miriam.) 

I thank you for your cheering words. 
'Tis thus 

A friend should speak. 

Why, you're a warrior, 

And glory is the breath of life to 
you. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



183 



How can you win a triumph save in 

war? 
There 's danger too, but I know naught 

in life 
That can be won, if it be worth the 

while, 
Without some risk. 
Charos. I love to hear you talk. 

'Tis not alone that you have guessed 

the wish, 
That hidden lurks within a warrior's 

soul, 
But there's a melody about your 

tones, 
That captivates the ear, and there's a 

charm 
About your face, and form, and 

courtly way 
That captivates the eye. Remain you 

here? 
And shall I find you here when I 

return ? 
Miriam. Why, that's for you to say. I am 

your slave. 
You bought me with a price. 
Charos. I set you free, 

If that be so, for I'd not have you 

feel 



184 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



That any word of mine could be a law 
To bind you fast. You are not even 

bound 
To do aught that I ask, unless the 

wish 
To please is in your heart. 
Miriam. What do you ask ? 

Charos. Wilt write to me? 
Miriam. Why, that's a little thing. 

I'll do it with delight. 
Charos. 'Twill give me joy 

To hear from you, to know all that 

you do, 
And that I 'm in your mind. My mes- 
sengers 
Will wait on you, and bring your 

script to me 
Almost like flying birds. 
Nerea. (At door, left rear.) Charos! Charos! 

(He turns slowly towards her as she 

advances.) 
Your orders, Charos (holding papers 
to him) ! 
Charos. (Taking papers.) Then I'll haste at 

once. 
(To Miriam.) 

Wilt give me your good wishes when 
I go? 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



185 



Miriam. May smiling Fortune bring you vic- 

tory. 
Charos. Good-by, Nerea. (Kisses hand.) 

(Kissing hand.) Good-by , Miriam. 
(Exit Charos at left rear.) 
Nerea. He called her Miriam, and kissed her 

hand. 



Curtain. 



ACT III. 

Scene.— Throne-room of palace. Same o,s Act II, 
except that the throne is a double one. 

{Enter at left rear Nered followed by N arses 
and two other men.) 



Nerea. 


"Wait there, within the shadow of the 




door, 




Till I shall call. Know you your 




duties here? 




My messenger, told he what is my 




wish? 


Narses. 


Yes, we were told. We are, at your 




command, 




To take a woman hence to some far 




land. 


Nerea. 


So that shell not return again. 


Narses. 


Fear not. 




Shell not return. 


Nerea. 


To what land bear you her? 


Narses. 


This day a boat sails for Egyptian 




shores, 




And in that country there are realms 




of sand, 




186 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



187 



As boundless as the illimitable sea, 
Where, if one stray a scanty furlong's 

space, 
One is forever lost. 
Nerea. That suits me well, 

So that she ne'er returns. 
Narses. Shell not return: 

Of that be well assured. Once in our 

hands 

She 11 be as lost as if oblivion 's waves 

Had swept o'er her, and left no trace 

behind. 

Nerea. Wait quiet there until I bid you act, 

And, when I raise my hand, move 

silently ; 
And let there be no turmoil in this 

hall 
To make a scandal here. 
Narses. Well move like death, 

When he comes to a man in perfect 

health. 
There'll be nor sight, nor sound that 

we have been, 
Or she has gone, whene'er you give 

the sign. 
(Exeunt Narses and two men at rear 
left. Enter Lydia at left, ad- 
vances.) 



188 ROMANTIC DRAMAS 

Nerea. (To Lydia.) 

Told you the woman, Miriam, to come ? 
Lydia. I told her you were here awaiting 

her, 
And wished to see her here. 
Nerea. "What said she then? 

Lydia. That she'd come presently. 

Nerea. Presumptuous minx! 

Said she naught more? 
Lydia. She thought that you could wait 

To her convenience suit. 
Nerea. Ah, said she so ? 

She'll find that I can wait, and I can 

move, 
More speedily perhaps than she ex- 
pects. 
Lydia. Yonder she comes (pointing to left). 

Nerea. Go you away at once ! 

(Exit Lydia at left rear. Enter 
Miriam slowly from left. She moves 
towards centre, where Nerea has 
moved.) 
Miriam. You wished to see me here, and I have 

come. 
Nerea. I wished! You have not chosen well 

your word. 
There 's nothing could be further from 
my thought. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



189 



I would not see you here or anywhere, 
Had I my choice. 
Miriam. I wish not to intrude. 

'Twas but the servant Lydia's word 

to me, 
And I know not that 'twas the truth 

she told, 
Nor if she was deceiving, or deceived. 
Nerea. And certain 'tis that wished was not 

my thought. 
I shudder ev 'ry time you draw anear. 
Miriam. "lis so with me, likewise, when you 

approach. 
'Tis that inborn antipathy of souls, 
That nothing have akin. 
Nerea. Nothing akin! 

I would not have in me aught that's 

akin, 
In body or in soul, with you. 
Miriam. Indeed ! 

Yet women are I think made much 

alike : 
Their souls are wrapped up wholly in 

themselves ; 
They look out on the world with 

greedy eyes, 
That nothing see that they would not 

possess ; 



190 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



They differ chiefly in the outer shell, 
That's beautiful in some, in others 
plain. 
Nerea. I would not care how beautiful you 

were, 
Nor I how plain, if you had not pre- 
sumed 
To step between my love and me. 
Miriam. Art sure 

That there was need that I should lift 

my hand 
To set your lover free? Men wear 

their chains 
Ofttimes as oxen do, through habit's 

strength. 
Perchance your lover tired of your 
love. 
Nerea. How dare you e'en suggest so vile a 

thought? 
Miriam. Why I dare much, because I nothing 

fear. 
Nerea. Perchance there's more to fear than 

you may think. 
Miriam. From you? 

Nerea. From me. 

For, now that Charos comes 
Triumphant from the war, as rumor 
says, 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



191 



I'll not permit — I'm cousin to a 

King — 
I'll not permit a woman such as 

you, 
"Without repute save that she sings 

and plays 

To please the vulgar crowd 

Miriam. {Interrupting) . Why, would you call 

The monarch and his Court a vulgar 

crowd ? 
Nerea. I do not care to bandy words with 

you. 
I 've urged you to depart, have offered 

sums, 
That might tempt worthier folk, if 

you would go; 
But, now that Charos will be here once 

more 
Right speedily, you'll not part him 

and me. 
You'll dazzle not his eyes, nor witch 

his ears, 
Nor tempt him with your wiles when 

he returns. 
Miriam. Art sure? 
Nerea. How dare 

you speak in such a tone? 
Miriam. What can you do? 



192 ROMANTIC DRAMAS 

Nerea. My slaves shall bear you off 

Unto a land, so distant that ne'er 

more 
Will Charos east his eyes on you. 
Miriam. Perchance 

Tour scheme is unsubstantial as a 

dream. 
'Twere well to be quite sure that you 

are right 
Before you act; for baffled schemes 

turn back 
Like boomerangs, and smite the 

schemer. 
(Miriam claps hands. Lydia enters 
from left.) 
Miriam. (To Lydia.) 

The Emperor, where is he now? 
Lydia. Within. 

Miriam. Go, bid the Emperor come here to me. 

(Exit Lydia at left.) 
Nerea. Go, bid the Emperor! She takes my 

breath ! 
Go, bid the Emperor! He's like to 

come 
For such as you. 
Miriam. Perhaps though he will come 

To shield a woman, who can merely 
sing 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



193 



And dance so as to please a vulgar 

crowd, 
Though she have neither wealth nor 

birth like thine, 
But only womanhood. 
Nerea. Presumptuous minx! 

And, if he comes, think you a dancing 

girl 
Can stand 'gainst me, a Princess of 

his line, 
When I have told my woes? 
Miriam. And yet he comes. 

The Emperor has come at my re- 
quest. 
{Emperor at door on left.) 
Tell now your woes. 
Nerea. I scarce believe my eyes. 

(Emperor advances.) 
Emperor. What would you, Miriam? You sent 

for me. 
Miriam. This woman here — 'tis Nerea she's 
called — 
Boasts of her power as Princess of 

your line 
To drive me from your Court. 
Emperor. She must be daft. 

Miriam. She has her hirelings brought — yon- 

der they stand 



194 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



Half-hidden by the curtains of the 

door— 
To bear me from my home. 
Emperor. {To Nerea.) You'd bear my wife 

Out of her home? 
Nerea. Your wife! Is she your wife, 

This singing woman here? Is she 
your wife ? 
Emperor. Since yestereve, and in my Court 
to-day 
She'll be proclaimed. 
Nerea. It cannot be ! I dream ! 

My ears must play me false. 
Miriam. They clearly hear. 

I am the Empress of the Eastern 

world, 
And you an humble subject of my 

lord. 
I told you schemes, born in a dream- 
er's brain, 
Fantastic are as madmen '^ foolish 

plans. 
But tell your woes. 
Emperor. (To Nerea.) Send off your waiting 

men! 
Miriam. You brought them here to do a cruel 
act, 
To bear a woman to a loathsome death. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



195 



0, 'twas a scheme well worthy of your 
guile ! 
Emperor. Well, it has failed. So send away 

your men. 
Miriam. They'll bear no singing maiden to her 

death ; 
Your plan has failed. 
(Enter Proclus at left rear.) 
Proclus. (To Emperor.) A messenger in 
haste, 
"Who brings a message for your 
Majesty. 
Emperor. Let him come in. 

(Exit Proclus at left rear and returns 

immediately ivith messenger.) 
(To messenger.) Well, well? 
Mess. Your Majesty ! 

Emperor. Speak out. What message do you 

bring to me?, 
Mess. Charos, your Captain's waiting at 

your gate. 
Emperor. Comes he victorious? 
Mess. He brings in chains 

The rebel Thanos. 
Emperor. Then has Charos won ; 

And he shall have a triumph in my 

Court 
Such as befits a winner in the field; 



196 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



And he shall wear the laurel wreath. 
(To Messenger.) Go, go, 

And bid him enter here! (Exit mes- 
senger at rear.) 
(To Proclus.) Call all my Court 

To welcome him with all the honor 

due 
A warrior, who brings us victory. 
(To Miriam.) 
And you shall sit beside me as my 

queen, 
And crown the conqueror. 
Miriam. Gladly, my lord! 

Emperor. Come then with me, and don your 
royal robes. 
(Exeunt Emperor and Miriam at left, 
and Proclus at rear.) 
Nerea. His wife! "lis hard to credit e'en 

his word, 
And yet it must be so. Now can I see 
"Why she so confidently called him 

here. 
(N arses advances slowly.) 
(To N arses.) 

Go, you! I have no further use for 
you. 
Narses. Some other day perhaps you 11 need 
our help. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



197 



Like death, to station we show no 

respect. 

Nerea. No, no ! I dare not now. You will 

be paid. 

(Exeunt N arses and men at left rear.) 

But Charos conies! I'll see his face 

once more — 
Yet she — she is to crown him con- 
queror : 
But now she's wed. She will not 

dare. She will- 

(Enter Charos and Proclus at left 

rear.) 
(To Proclus.) 
The Emperor — he is not here? 

Not now. 
I would report to him, and I was 

told 
I'd find him here. 

Our monarch has decreed 
That you shall be received, in open 

Court, 
"With all the honors due a conqueror, 
And now I go to call his retinue. 
(Exit Proclus at left rear. Nerea 
advances.) 
Nerea. You 're back, and I 'm so glad to greet 

you first. 



Charos. 

Proclus. 
Charos. 



Proclus. 



198 ROMANTIC DRAMAS 

Charos. Yes, yes; but I must haste to make 
report ; 
For first of all I am a warrior, 
And should unto my monarch make 
report. 
Nerea. It was a royal victory you won ; 

And I'm so pleased that he, who was 

my choice, 
Should be triumphant in his first 

essay, 
For it reflects a glory on me too. 
Charos. Yes, yes ; but where have all the cour- 
tiers gone? 
Nerea. And now, that youVe returned, well 

wedded be; 
For now there's naught that can our 
joy delay. 
Charos. Yes, yes; but I have duties to per- 
form, 
And in my brain are thoughts of other 
things. 
Nerea. Of other things? Why have you 

grown so cold? 
You were not wont to greet me in this 

way. 
While I — can you not see the burning 
flush, 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



199 



Charos. 



That flames my cheek, the glow that 

lights my eye? 
Look at my hand, that trembles like 

a leaf 
A-shaking in the breeze. See how my 

breast 
Beats up and down, with throbbing 

of my heart, 
Like some frail bird held in a sports- 
man's hand. 
'Tis all that I am pleased at your 

return. 
Yes, yes, I know; but still the Court 

comes not, 



Nerea. 


aiiu j. wouiu see 

My time of mourning's past, 




And we can wed. 


Charos. 


Now is no time to wed. 


Nerea. 


No time? 


Charos. 


Nay, I have other things in mind. 


Nerea. 


I cannot understand. 




(Enter Miriam at left.) 


Charos. 


(Eagerly.) 'Tis Miriam! 


Nerea. 


The Empress. 


Charos. 


She? 


Nerea. 


She is the Empress now. 




(Miriam lias advanced, she offers her 




hand, which Charos kisses.) 



200 ROMANTIC DRAMAS 

Miriam. I welcome back our hero to his 
home. 

Charos. I am so glad to be back here once 
more, 
And see you once again. 

Nerea. Charos ! Charos ! 

Charos. Not now! Not now! 

Miriam. You've won a victory, 

A glorious victory in your campaign, 
That will give honor to your land. 

Nerea. (Moving towards rear,) Charos! 

Charos. Not now ; I 'm busy now. 

Miriam. It gives me joy 

To see you here again victorious. 

Nerea. Charos ! 

Charos. (To Nerea.) Not now, I say. 

(To Miriam.) But you? She said — 
Here — now — that you have wed my 
liege. 

Nerea. (At rear.) Charos! 

Charos. (To Nerea.) 

Pray pardon me, I'm busy now. 
(Exit Nerea slowly at left rear.) 
(To Miriam.) Tell me 

"What did she mean? I cannot com- 
prehend. 

Miriam. What would you have me do? You 
went away. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



201 



"With no one here to aid what could 
I do? 

She would have driven me into the 
street, . 

Like some stray dog that knows no 
home. 

And but a moment hence, she brought 
her men 

To bear me off to some strange land 
to die. 
Charos. And I not here ! 
Miriam. What was there then to do? 

I wedded not from love, but by com- 
mand. 

We are the creatures of environ- 
ment; 

And when your monarch says: Go 
fight my fight! 

Do you refuse? And when he said 
to me, 

Be you my wife ! What else was there 
to do, 

With Nerea prepared to drive me 
hence ? 
Charos. I was not here. 
Miriam. I wed the Emperor 

To save my life. 
Charos. Ah, if I had but known! 



202 ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



Why all the time, when I was in the 

field, 
And when 'neath sighing forest trees 

we marched, 
Or forded icy brooks,- or 'neath the 

sky, 
Engilded with the thickly crowding 

stars, 
Sought our repose, your image floated 



e'er 



Before my eager eyes, or ope or shut, 
A beacon, leading me to victory: 
And when I wrote to you, and you 

replied, 
Your letters came like manna from 

the skies 
Unto a hungry soul (shows letters). 

Behold the scrolls ! 
I wear them next my heart. But they 

said naught 
Of this event. 
Miriam. It happened yestereve, 

When, fearing Nerea— why, on this 

day, 
She came here by the throne, which 

should protect 
The weaker from the strong, with 

hired thugs 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



203 



To have me borne away 

Charos. Accursed tricks! 

Miriam. I yielded to the Emperor's commands 

To save my life. 
Charos. Would that I had been here! 

0, had I thought that such a thing 

could hap, 
Nor hopes of victory, nor dreams of 

fame 
Could have deluded me with promises. 
Miriam. The Emperor approaches with his 

Court 
To do you honor. 

(Emperor at door at left rear, ad- 
vances.) 
Charos. I might have had— — 

But now- 

Miriam. (Interrupting.) Why, now, you've 

won a victory. 
(Emperor beside them — Courtiers 
crowd in at left rear.) 
Emperor. A famous victory. 'Tis scarce a 
month 
Since you led forth my legion to the 

war, 
And you've returned triumphant to 

your home. 
I chose my Captain well. 



204 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



{Emperor and Empress sit on thrones 

and Courtiers gather around. Tha- 

nos in chains is brought in at left 

rear and remains there.) 

Charos. I owe my thanks 

To you, in that you chose me for the 

task, 
And to the legion, that you sent with 

me. 
The second legion's full of fighting 

men, 
And fit for any strife. 
Miriam. Tell us your tale. 

Tell us about your legion and your- 
self ; 
For warriors' tales have all the magic 

charm 
For grown-up folk, with hot blood in 

their veins, 
That fairy stories have for children's 

ears; 
And 'tis a joy to those who sit at 

home, 
At peace beside the cheerful fireside, 
To hear the story of a war from 

men 
Who fought the fight. 
Emperor. Come, Charos, tell the tale; 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



205 



But let not modesty hang like a veil 
That beauty's face conceals, so as to 

cloud 
Your own exploits. 
Miriam. Tis well to praise one's self, 

When there is cause. Tis only when 

conceit 
Swells mole-hills into mounts that it 

annoys. 
Charos. I would not be a trumpeter to fill 

The earth with noisy murmurs of my 

deeds. 
Howe'er the story's not a lengthy 

one — 
And 1 11 spare words — for at the very 

start 
The rebel Thanos, knowing not our 

troops 
"Were close at hand, made a most grave 

mistake ; 
He cut his force in two. The legion 

moved 
With such surpassing speed that, ere 

he'd time 
To join his sundered troops, our 

legion fell 
Like heaven's bolt upon the stronger 

part, 



206 ROMANTIC DRAMAS 

And swept it as the reapers sweep the 
grain 

Before their scythes. The weaker part 
would fly: 

But then our legion, flushed with vic- 
tory, 

Pursued them as the dogs pursue the 
stag, 

"When he 's in sight, and brought them 
to a stand. 

I Ve seen a charge of wild bulls down 
a hill, 

Stampeded by fierce wolves. 'Twas 
naught compared 

"With ours. That legion's full of fight- 
ing men. 

The rebel, Thanos, strove most val- 
iantly, 

But — well, they've brought him to 
your Majesty, 

And there he stands a prisoner of 
war. 
Emperor. And he shall die. Let him be forward 
brought ; 

For I w T ill crush him as I would a 
snake, 

That hisses in my path. Bring Tha- 
nos here! 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



207 



(Proclus goes to rear door and directs 
two soldiers. Proclus, Thanos, and 
soldiers advance, to centre.) 
Miriam. {To Charos.) 

It was a very gallant fight you f ought, 
And lost naught in the telling. 
Emperor. (To Thanos.) Well, you're here. 

Thrice, Thanos, you have risen 'gainst 

my rule, 
And twice I have forgiven. Now 

you'll die. 
Thanos. I '11 die, you say. That doom frets not 

my soul. 
To die is naught. "Why should I fear 

to die? 
What worth is life, if it be but to 

live, 
As live the beasts, for shelter and for 

food? 
There should be something nobler in 

man's life 
Than mere existence. He should oth- 
ers aid, 
Set 'fore his eyes a noble aim and 

fight — 
If there be need to fight — to give that 

aim 
Eeality in life, — and he should win. 



208 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



To fail ! To fail ! Ah, that's almost a 

crime 
In him, who has in charge a people 's 

cause ; 
And I have failed.— I fought not for 

renown, 
But that my people from your hated 

yoke 
Might be set free. 
Emperor. Well, you will fight no more ; 

For now you 11 die. 
Thanos. Think you my death will kill 

The freedom that we love? There'll 

be a man 
To lead, whene'er a people freedom 

seeks ; 
And, though I perish, freedom will 

not die. 
There'll rise another man to take my 

place, 
And, when he dies, there'll still an- 
other rise 
To lead the Dacians in their noble 

figbt 
To throw a tyrant's shackles from 

their limbs. 
And I can look adown the years to 

come, 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 209 

With a prophetic vision, born of 

hope, 
And see my Dacia free. — So, do your 
worst ! 
Emperor. Lead him away, and let him die at 
once; 
That is the fate of rebels, when they 

lose. 
(Soldiers lead off Thanos at left rear.) 
(To Char os.) 
And, Charos, you shall wear the laurel 

crown 
In honor of your gallant victory. 
(N erect is seen standing at door at left 

rear.) 
(To Proclus.) 

Bring here the crown (Proclus brings 

laurel wreath), and give it to the 

queen ; 

(Proclus hands wreath to Miriam), 

And she, who shares the throne with 

me, shall crown 
The warrior, who won his maiden 

fight. 
(Miriam stands; Charos kneels on one 
knee.) 
Miriam. This laurel wreath bears witness to 
your worth. 



210 EOMANTIC DRAMAS 



It is a warrior's, statesman's, poet's 

crown, 
Such as the noblest of mankind have 

worn, 
To witness bear to their nobility, 
In all the ages past. Wear thou it 

too! 
(Puts wreath on head of Charos.) 
And on no nobler head conld crown 

be placed. 
(Char os rises; Miriam still stands; 
Nerea at rear door clasping her 
hands.) 

Curtain. 



ACT IV. 



Scene. — deception room of the Empress. Door- 
way at left; doorway at rear; curtains at both; 
large table at left front; chair beside it; usual fur- 
niture; above doorway at rear is a window. 

{Enter Miriam slowly at left, advances to 
centre.) 

Miriam. (Sol.) 

Too late, too late, a little day too late ! 

But yesterday, if he 'd come yesterday, 

He would have been in time. How 
strange this life ! 

The changeful sea, now swelling into 
waves, 

That tower up before the howling 
wind, 

Now smoothing to a mirror that re- 
flects 

The azure sky shows not more varied 
scenes. 

Between the rising and the setting sun 
211 



212 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



There can be crowded such a wealth 

of joy, 
If joy should come, that scarce 'tis 

credible 
That, in the same brief space of time, 

grim Fate 
Can whelm the soul in utter misery. 
If Charos had come yesterday! 
(Bell rings.) Come in! 

(Enter Lydia at rear.) 
Lydia. The Captain of the guard would speak 

with you. 
Miriam. 1 11 gladly see him. Bid him enter in. 
(Exit Lydia at rear.) 
Ill gladly see him — greet him even 

now 
With joy — but, if he had come yester- 
day! 
(Enter Charos at rear, advances.) 
Charos. Your Majesty— 
Miriam. (Interrupting.) Speak not of majesty 

I beg of you, whene'er you speak to 

me. 
A title is a barrier to hold 
The vulgar crowds, that love to gaze 

on kings, 
Lest they intrude too far ; but Iween 

us twain 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



213 



There is no bar of title or of state. 
To you I still am Miriam. 
Charos. Miriam ! 

That is the name I heard, when first 

my eyes 
Gazed on your face, unconscious of 

your power; 
And Miriam was still the name you 

bore, 
"When on the morrow here before the 

Court 
You sang your song, and touched each 

hearer 's heart, 
And found a lodging place within my 

breast ; 
And Miriam 'twas, that, when I went 

away, 
I begged to write a little of her 

thoughts ; 
And Miriam was still the name I read 
Upon the letters that you sent to me. 
Miriam. It was ! I love to hear you speak my 

name. 
It has upon your lips a joyous sound, 
That my glad ears swift bear unto my 

heart. 
Charos. And, while I strove against our coun- 
try's foes, 



214 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



I ever thought of you as Miriam; 
Nor did I dream that, when I here 

returned, 
I'd find you wed. No, no, I did not 

dream 
I'd find you wed. 
Miriam. I wedded not from love — 

That you should know — but to protect 

my life, 
Sore threatened by the Lady Nerea. 
Who was there here to aid a singing 

girl? 
"Who was there here to lend a helping 

hand 
To save me from the wretched fate 

she planned ? 
Charos. And I in mad pursuit of warlike fame, 
As unsubstantial as the bubbles frail 
That children blow, and fading quite 

as soon. 
Miriam. I could not know when you'd return 

again. 
I could not know that you would care 

the least 
What hap'd to me. 
Charos. Not know that I would care! 

Had you not seen the flame gleam in 

my eyes, 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



215 



When they looked on your face ? Had 

you not seen 
My face grow soft, whene'er you 

spoke to me? 
Not care ! — I scarcely dare to speak 

the words, 
That, like the lava in the mountain's 

breast, 
May burst all bounds, and sweep us 

both away. 
Miriam. You dare not speak! Tou dare not 

speak to me ! 
Do you recall that, scarce a month 

ago, 
In yonder Forum, where you sat as 

judge, 
You bought me with a price ? Do you 

not know 
Our threads of life have tangled been 

by Fate 
Into a knot, that naught can e'er 

untwist ? 
You bought me, ay, you bought me 

with a price, 
And I pertain to you. 
Charos. You drive me mad. 

Your lips, that I have yearned to 

touch with mine, 



216 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



Your eyes, that look so eagerly in 

mine, 
Your words, that seem to promise 

ev 'ry thing, 
Your form, that I would crush in my 

embrace, 
All drive me mad. I scarce know 

what I say. 
Miriam. You bought me with a price for life 

or death, 
And I pertain to you. 
Charos. You drive me mad. 

Your burning words have set my 

brain aflame. 
The blood streams in my veins like 

boiling wine. 
I know — I nothing know but that I 

love. 
I love you, Miriam! I humbly kneel 
Here at your feet. Do with me as 

you will. 
{He kneels. She offers her hand. He 
kisses it.) 
Miriam. I beg you rise. I would not have you 

kneel. 
I would not have you, Charos, kneel 

to me. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



217 



Charos. 



Miriam. 



(Offers her hand, which he takes and 
rises.) 

Think you I do not know, I do not 
feel? . 

Why there was smouldering in my 
breast a fire 

Your words have blown to flame un- 
quenchable. 

I know not how you entered in my 
heart, 

Nor when it hap 'd, but there's none 
else there now. 

I love you, Charos, better than my 
life, 

Or home, or hope, or anything on 
Earth. 

(Charos embraces her.) 

My Miriam, if Fate had been more 
kind, 

Or you more patient waiting my re- 
turn! 

I could not know that I had touched 
your heart, 

That you would hold a grand career 
as naught, 

And let love sweep ambition from 
your soul; 



218 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



Charos. 
Miriam. 

Charos. 
Miriam. 

Charos. 



Miriam. 



Charos. 



Miriam. 



Charos. 



I could not know, I dared not even 

think 
That I had found a place within your 

breast. 
You did not know? 

Nay, love, I only hoped, 
I only wished, I only craved your love. 
You give yourself to me? 

All that I am 
Is yours alone. Command and I obey. 
I scarce know what I do or what I 

say: 
'Tis all so sudden and so strange. 

Tis love; 
And love would have no charms, if 

'twere not strange, 
And scanty joy, if 'twere not sudden 

too. 
I scarce can think. My brain is in a 

whirl, 
But I must find a way, my wits must 

work. 
And you are bound by ties. 

Love cuts all ties. 
One tie alone binds me, and that's 

to you. 
The honor of your name— the Em- 
peror — 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



219 



And I — the Captain of his guard — 

and you, 
And you — his wife ! Tis like a laby- 
rinth, 
That shows no path. 
Miriam. Would you give up my love ? 

Charos. Give up your love! Nay, that's 

beyond my strength. 
A little month ago I did not know 
You were on Earth. Now you're the 

world to me ; 
And honor, shame — they are but 
words — but words. 
Miriam. Ah, love is everything! 

Charos. I did not know 

It was so strong that it could sweep 

the world 
Out of my thought, that glory, honor, 

pride, 
Could seem phantasms of the land of 

dreams ; — 
But, if I have your love ? 
Miriam. My heart is thine. 

Charos. Then is the world well lost. Let 

glory go, 
And pride, — and honor too, if love 
remains. 
Miriam. My love is thine. 



220 ROMANTIC DRAMAS 

Charos. Now must I find a way. 

The ties that bind you here, that bind 

me here, 
Must severed be. 
Miriam. Yes, love. 

Charos. And we must fly. 

Miriam. In truth we must. 

Charos. In other lands we '11 find 

A refuge for our love, where we can 
bide. 
Miriam. Together, love. 

Charos. What if I lose my rank? 

There's ever a demand for fighting 

men 
In ev'ry clime, and free from all the 

chains, 
That bind us here, we'll live. "Wilt 

go with me, 
And leave behind the luxuries of 

life, 
A palace home, a seat upon a throne, 
And trust your future to a man with 

naught 
To win his way, but his strong arm 

and wit? 
I fear to ask — I scarce dare ask so 
much. 
Miriam. I would not wait a moment to reply. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS - 221 

That I should gladly go is nothing 

strange ; 
For I'm a woman with a woman's 

thoughts, 
And to a woman love is ev'rything. 
But you? Have you thought how 

'twill be with you? 
For you're a man, and title, honor, 

place, 
Are to a man the very breath he 

breathes. 
Think you that you can make this 

sacrifice, 
And bide the outcome be it good or 

ill? 
Charos. The past is dead. The present I will 

seize. 
I care not what the future may bring 

forth 
Of weal or woe, if I but have your 

love. 
I reck not where I live, if you be mine, 
Nor if I live in honor or in shame, 
If you, the woman whom I love, be 

mine. 
(Clasps her.) 
I love you, love you! That is all to 

me. 



222 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



Life, honor, reputation, praise of 

men — 
All other things, for which poor mor- 
tals strive, 
Are swallowed up in love. Wilt go 

with me? 
(Loosens his arm.) 
I set you free to choose. "Wilt go 

with me? 
Miriam. Where'er you please. Wherever you 

may go 
There I will go. Your country shall 

be mine; 
Your future shall be mine, or good or 

ill. 
See, I yield up my life, my love to 

you; 
All that I have and am I give to you, 
Because I love ; I ask naught but your 

love. 
Charos. My heart is thine. Till now I ne'er 

knew love, 
Nor that it could, like some wild 

whirling stream, 
Sweep men away. I must no moment 

lose ; 
For we must hasten hence. — I must 

take thought. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



223 



Your life and liberty are both at 

stake, 
And likewise mine; — I must take 
thought for both. 
Miriam. Do what seems best to you. I have 
no wish 
Save to depart with you, whene 'er you 
go. 
Charos. I'll find a ship, with cargo in its hold, 

That's ready to unfurl its willing 

sails, 
This very day. Can you be ready 
soon ? 
Miriam. This very hour, if that will please 

you best. 
Charos. I'll hasten back. 

(Kisses her.) 'Till then, sweetheart, 

adieu ! 
(Exit Charos at rear.) 
Miriam. (Sol.) 

Adieu ! Ah yes, till you return again. 
My heart exults. I love and I am 

loved. 
My blood is dancing eager in my veins. 
I feel it flush my cheeks, and in my 

hands 
The pulse is dancing merrily. 
(Bell sounds.) Come in! 



224 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



(Enter Lydia at rear.) 
What now? 
Lydia. A man, sent by the Emperor, 

Awaits outside the door. 
Miriam. Let him come in. 

(Exit Lydia at rear.) 
(Sol.) 
"What can this person want? Can he 

know aught? 
(Enter at rear Simon , disguised as an 

old man.) 
"What is your wish ? What would you 

have with me? 
Simon. (In disguised voice.) 

The Emperor has sent me here to you 
That you may judge if I be fit to 

serve 
As soothsayer unto his Majesty; 
For that he thinks you know more of 

such folk 
Than he. 
Miriam. A soothsayer ! So that's your trade ! 

And yet I never saw your face before, 
Though I knew ev'ry fortune teller 

here, 
And ev'ry shrewd interpreter of 

dreams, 
And all foretellers of events to come, 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



225 



Simon. 
Miriam. 

Simon. 
Miriam. 



Simon. 
Miriam. 



Simon. 



Miriam. 



When I was wife to Simon Malachi. 
Ah, you were wife to Simon Malachi? 
But you I never saw. Whence came 

you here ? 
From Egypt. 

Ah, from Egypt, you have come. 
Perchance you may know Simon 

Malachi. 
I've never seen the man. 

There's something queer. 
I seem to know your voice, or tones 

thereof, 
As they ring in my ear. — How old 

are you? 
Tis sixty years, and more, since I was 

born; 
And I have gathered wisdom through 

my years. 
(Aside.) 
It cannot be. 'Tis but a foolish 

thought ; 
But there seemed in his voice some 

tones I know; 
And through my brain there flashed 

the thought; — 
But, no, it cannot be. He's much too 

old. 
(To Simon.) 



226 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



I'll test your power. What can you 

tell to me ? 
Simon. The past, if you desire. 

Miriam. I'm not a child 

To be entrapped by such a cheap 

device. 
"Why, any fool or knave, can tell the 

past ; 
For that is known or writ and may 

be learned 
By trickery or by a servant's aid; 
But who the future tells, and tells it 

true, 
Why he's a seer, that's fit to serve a 

king. 
Simon. 'Tis that I seek, to be seer to a king; 

And that I may be judged I come to 

you. 
Miriam. You come to me! Why, I know all 

the tricks 
Of ev'ry necromancer in this place. 
What is your trick? 
Simon. I deal not in chicane. 

The sages of the Bast, Egyptian 

priests, 
Have wrested Nature's secrets from 

her grasp, 
And I have learned from them. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



227 



Miriam. What have you learned ? 

"What is the Eastern juggle that you 
know? 

'Twill be a clever trick that humbugs 
me. 
Simon. I have a globe of glass, wherein is 

shown 

To ev'ry one his future or his past. 
Miriam. Bah, bah! You'd have me think that 

you can see 

All that will hap to all the world. 
Simon. Not so. 

I can see naught for you, nor you for 
me; 

For in this globe one sees what's in 
his soul, 

And nothing else. Each life, from 
birth to death, 

In all its details is completely 
planned, 

And of that plan each soul has cog- 
nizance, 

But cannot, without aid, this knowl- 
edge stamp 

Upon the sluggish brain; my globe 
does that. 

Who looks within my glass will noth- 
ing see 



228 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



Miriam, 



Simon. 
Miriam. 



Save what will hap to hiin, save what 

is hid 
Within his inmost soul. 

Miriam. If I should look ?- 

Simon. You'll see naught of the future or the 

past. 
Save what pertains to you. If I 

should look 
111 only see my life. 

'Tis wondrous strange, 
More like a miracle than life — if true. 
"Where is this glass? 

'Tis in the outer room. 
Let it be brought! 
(Simon moves to rear, opens curtains, 
two men roll in large glass globe 
mounted on tripod, having wheels; 
they roll the globe which is covered 
with a cloth to centre front; the two 
men exeunt at rear.) 
(Aside.) What can this trickster 
know 
About my plans? 
Simon. (Removing cloth.) Think well before 

you look ; 
For Fate is cruel, oftener than kind, 
And what must be is oft not what we 
wish. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



229 



Miriam. Know you your future, pictured in 

your glass? 
Simon. One needs must look, and wish, or 

else the. glass 
Is but an opaque mass. It is the wish, 
That makes the pictures, lurking in 

the soul, 
Take on reality within the glass. 
I've never dared to wish. 'Twould 

kill all hope 
To know what 's hidden in the future 's 

womb ; 
And, if there 's naught of hope, if one 

must think 
There's nothing that the future will 

bring forth, 
Then life is death. I would not lose 

all hope; 
So I 've ne 'er looked. 
Miriam. He has a timid soul, 

"Who dares not know what will the 

future bring, 
Be it or weal or woe. I'll try your 

globe. 
Go yonder! None shall look within 

the glass, 
Save me, when is disclosed my future 

life. 



230 i ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



(Simon retires to rear—Miriam looks 

at glass.) 
Perhaps 'tis, as he says, a risky act 
To probe the future, but 'tis risky 

too 
To meet the future all unknown.— 1 11 

try. 
I wish to know, I wish to know my 

end. 
(Looking in glass.) 
A gloomy cloud sweeps swiftly o'er 

the scene. 
Ah, now I come in view.— -Who is that 

man, 
"Whose back alone I see ? "With naked 

sword 
He springs at me. No, no ! It cannot 

be! 
Murdered! such an end! It can- 
not be ! 
Yet 'tis my body lying there, inert, 
With blood aflow. 
(Covers eyes with hands.) Enough! 

I'd see no more. 
(Removes hands.) 
Now gloomy clouds again obscure the 

glass. 
The end ! Is it the end ? can it be 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



231 



Simon. 



Miriam. 
Simon. 



That I must die so soon, that I must 

die 
While life is full of charm, while life 

is love ! 
I'll not believe. There is some trick 

in it. 
'Tis necromancy, ay, 'tis a deceit. 
Why looked I in his glass that he 

might play 
His tricks on me, as if I were a 

child?— 
How can I know if 'tis reality, 
That 'tis the future he has shown to 

me? 
His globe can mimic what is in his 

thought. 
{To Simon.) 

Come here! {Simon advances.) 
{Pointing to globe.) This tells not 

truth. 

The globe can show 
Naught save what's in the soul. 
Would you have proof 
As positive as from an oracle? 
Yes, I'd have proof. 

If I the past can show, 
The hidden past, that none save you 

can know, 



232 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



Miriam. 

Simon. 

Miriam. 



Simon. 



Miriam. 



"Will that be proof? 

'T would be the best of proof. 
Ask what yon will. 

Then picture in your globe 
What hap'd upon this spot before 

yon came. 
"Wish it with all the power of yonr 

will: 
Then look. If 'tis not pictured in the 

glass 
Then is my globe a cheat. 

Go back! Go back! 
I would not have you here. 
(Simon retires to rear.) I wish, I wish 
To see the nearest past (looks in 
glass) . 

He comes! He comes! 
The best of all! That is the best of 

all; 
For Charos kneels beseeching at my 

feet. 
I raise him with my hand. His eyes 

meet mine, 
And I am in his arms. His kiss again 
Is warm upon my lips. I almost 

feel 
His bosom throb against my breast 

once more 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



233 



In sweet caress of love. His heart 

is mine. 
And I — There's naught of life save 

in his love. 
My soul's in ecstasy. — 0, cruel glass! 
The clouds sweep o'er its face, and 

he has gone. 
'Twas like a midnight dream.- — Yet I 

would wish 
That moment, when his kiss was on 

my lips, 
Might last fore'er (drops in a chair). 
(To Simon.) Come here again! 

Simon. (Advancing.) My globe, 

Has it shown what you asked? 
Miriam. I've seen the past 

For which I asked. What it has 

shown to me 
Surpasses all belief. Take it away. 
I would no more of it. 
Simon. (Covering globe.) But will you say 

Unto his Majesty that I am fit 
To be seer to a king? 
Miriam. What I can do, 

I'll gladly do. 
Simon. I thank you for that word, 

For I would wish to be seer at this 
Court. 



234 ROMANTIC DRAMAS 

Miriam. (Rising.) 

Take it away ! 

(Simon claps hands. Two servants 
enter at rear, and advance to 
globe.) 

It grates upon my nerves. 
I would not have it here. Take it 

away! 
(Servants roll off globe at rear.) 
(To Simon.) 
Go, go! I've things that press upon 

my brain, 
That must be done. 
(Servants, followed by Simon, exeunt 

at rear.) 
(Looking after them.) Why did I 

tempt my fate? 
"Why did I look within his mystic 

globe ? 
That end! That end! 0, if that be 
my end ! 

Curtain. 



ACT V. 



Scene. — Same as Act IV. 
(Miriam enters at left.) 



Miriam. 



Lydia. 
Miriam. 



Lydia. 



Miriam. 



(Sol., looking at dial.) 

The shadow on the dial scarcely 

moves. 
If Charos would but come we'd haste 

away. 
This place has almost hateful grown 

to me. 
(Bell rings.) 

Can that be Charos now? Come in! 
(Enter Lydia at rear — to Lydia.) 

What now? 
The princess Nerea is at your door. 
The princess Nerea! What wishes 

she 
With me? 

I know not, save that she has sent 
A message that she'd wish to call on 

you. 
(Aside.) 

235 



236 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



Some trick perchance ! Can she have 

seen or guessed 
Aught of our plans ? Still I had bet- 
ter know. 
{To Lydia.) 
Let her come in. 

{Exit Lydia at rear— Enter Nerea at 
rear.) 
"What would you have with me ? 
You dare not try again to bear me 
hence. 
Nerea. Nor have I such design. 

Miriam. Your myrmidons 

I see not hanging round the outer 

door, 
Like greedy hounds, a-watching for 

their prey. 
I've come alone. 

What for? 

I've come to ask 
That you will give to me the man I 

love. 
Ah, that's your wish. For that you 

come to me. 
If animals had memory as brief 
As humans have, we'd rightly call 
them dull. 
Nerea. I am a princess born, and yet I beg, 



Nerea. 

Miriam. 

Nerea. 



Miriam. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 237 

I beg of you who yesterday was 

naught, 
Because I love, and I'd endure all 

shame . 
To win back to my side the man I 

love. 
Miriam. The man you love! Why, you know 

naught of love. 
The greedy passion, that your breast 

inflames, 
To hold a man bound fast, that is not 

love. 
Love comes we know not whence, oft 

like the flash, 
That flames across the sky; it stays a 

while, 
Or long or short; sometimes it bides 

fore 'er, 
Sometimes a scanty hour; and, if it 

goes, 
It swiftly flits away we know not 

where. 
If it be true it hugs the fireside, 
As closely as the purring cat ; if false 
'Tis like a bird that hovers o'er our 

heads, 
The while it sings, then soars, far up 

the blue. 



238 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



You cannot bind love fast; it's free 

as air. 
You cannot hold it, if it choose to go. 
Nerea. If you would leave him free, if you'd 

refrain 
From seeking to enchant, he would 
return. 
Miriam. Believe it not, for, if you'd filled his 
heart, 
His eyes would not have wandered 

from your face. 
The nesting bird seeks not another 
mate. 
Nerea. I pray you give me back my lover's 

love. 
Miriam. I could not, if I would, give you his 
love; 
I would not, if I could. 
Nerea. Then he is lost. 

(Bell rings.) 
Miriam. Come in! 

(Enter Lydia at rear.) 
Lydia. The Captain of the guard awaits. 

Miriam. Bid him come in. (Exit Lydia at 
rear.) 
(To Nerea.) If Charos, as you say, 
Your lover is, take him away with 
you. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



239 



(Enter Charos at rear, advances.) 

(To Charos.) 

That you should come so opportunely 

here, 
Seems wondrous strange, yet Fate oft 

plays such tricks. 
The princess Nerea is here, you see. 
She'd have your love, and she has 

come to me. 
Nerea. I've come to one, who's not a friend 

to me. 
Miriam. Nor makes pretence to be. 

{To Charos.) You should reply, 

Not I, to her demand. 
Nerea. I've come to her, 

And have abased myself. A princess 

born 
I've, for my love, so far forgot my 

state 

That I 've a dancer begged 

Miriam. (Interrupting.) Who haps to be 

The Empress of the East. 
Nerea. (To Charos.) I only ask 

That I may have your love, whate'er 

her state. 

A little while ago — a little while 

And yet it seems as if long years had 

passed, 



240 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



You loved me, Charos. We were soon 

to wed, 
As soon as passed my mourning for 

my sire; 
But now you are so cold, so changed, 

so strange. 
Charos. I pray you pardon me; I did not 

know ; — 
There's naught else I can say. I am 

to blame. 
Nerea. You do not love me then ? 

Charos. Pray, pardon me; 

But I would say no word that might 

offend ; 
Yet what I thought was love was 

never love. 
Nerea. Another has stepped in between us 

twain, 
And stolen happiness that should be 

mine, 
And there she stands. 
Miriam. I've uttered not a word, 

Nor would I now, save to repel at- 
tack. 
I've stolen naught, naught taken that 

was yours. 
You've boasted that you are a princess 

born. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



241 



Nerea. 
Charos. 



Miriam. 
Nerea. 



Charos. 



Miriam. 
Charos. 



Think you that it becomes a princess 
born 

To sue a man for love ? 

( To Charos. ) Is it the end ? 

I pray you pardon me. My love for 
you, 

If ever it was love, is dead. 

Is dead ! 

{Moving towards rear.) 

In truth then 'tis the end, and you are 
lost. 

{Exit Nerea at rear.) 

There's need for haste. No moment 
must we lose. 

A slighted woman's wrath will stop 
at naught. 

She scarcely knows herself what she 
will do, 

Nor cares about results. 

Let's go at once. 

I found a boat, whose snowy, flapping 
sails 

Were eager for the breeze. Her cap- 
tain came, 

Here to the palace for permit to sail, 

And, while he waits his turn, I hur- 
ried here 

Lest you might grow afraid. 



242 , ROMANTIC DRAMAS 

Miriam. I nothing fear, 

Now that your love is mine. 
Charos. You're ready then? 

Miriam. I'm ready now, or whensoe'er you 

please. 
Charos. I will the captain aid, and then re- 
turn. 
Have patience till I come. 
(Exit Charos at rear.) 
Miriam. (Sol.) This dignity, 

This luxury of life, and pomp, and 

power, 
This palace home, with all its wealth 

of art, 
The things that fill a woman's heart 

with joy, 
For which she yearns, for which she '11 

sacrifice 
All else except her life, I must give up. 
And yet why not ? To live a fettered 

slave, 
However bright the chains — that is 

not life. 
To live, to love, to be beloved, that's 

all. 
If I could make a heaven to my taste, 
'Twould be eternal youth, eternal 

love. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



243 



Farewell, ye gilded toys! I give you 

up 

For him. — His love to me is ev'ry- 

thing.— 
Come when you will, my love, I'll be 

prepared. 
(Exit Miriam at left.) 
(Enter Emperor and Nerea at rear, 
advance.) 



Emperor. 


What is this tale ? 


Nerea. 


The Captain of your guard 


Emperor. 


(Interrupting.) 




"What, Charos? Why, I brought him 




to my Court 




At your express request. 


Nerea. 


Would you had not. 


Emperor. 


Well, tell the rest. 


Nerea. 


The Captain of your guard 




Has now become the lover of your 




queen. 


Emperor. 


Tut, tut! Your fancies have be- 




witched your brain, 




And now you dream. 


Nerea. 


They'll meet here in this hour, 




And you can see their acts. 


Emperor. 


How know you that? 


Nerea. I 


've bribed one of her maids. 


Emperor. 


How could she know? 



244 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



Nerea. She overheard their words. 

Emperor. A servant's guess. 

Besides the Captain is in love with 
you. 

That was your tale. 
Nerea. He was in love with me, 

But is no more, for she has won his 
love. 
Emperor. Ah, as I thought, a little jealousy. 

'Tis but a foolish thought that fills 
your brain, 

The idle fancy of a jealous girl. 

One gives not all for naught. A wom- 
an e'en, 

Though foolish as most of her sex, 
would know 

Enough of life to hold fast to a 
throne ; 

For women are more plentiful than 
thrones. 

And so your tale is scarcely credible. 
Nerea. And you would gladly put the tale 

aside, 

Because a woman has obsessed your 
wits, 

And you would fain have faith, be- 
cause she's fair, 

As is the way of men. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



245 



Emperor. 



Nerea. 

Emperor. 

Nerea. 



Emperor, 



Nerea. 



Emperor. 



And you'd adjudge 
Her false, because she's fair. Tis 

woman 's way. 
You dare not put my story to the test. 
Why not? 

You know the secret corridor, 
That yonder window lights? 

{Pointing to window at rear.) 

Of course I know. 

'Twas built that I unseen might watch 

this room. 
I did not know that you had found the 

way 
Into the secrets of that corridor ; 
But what is there a woman will not 

seek, 
If it be but a secret ? 

Come with me, 
And, through that window, look into 

this room, 
And you will see the story I have told 
Is not the idle fancy of a girl. 
I'll go, and see the real impeach your 

dreams. 
{Exeunt both at rear.) 
{Bell heard; then Lydia enters at 
rear; she looks around, crosses stage 
and exit at left. Enter from left 



246 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



Miriam with cloak on her arm,, fol- 
lowed by Lydia; Miriam throws 
cloak on a chair.) 
Miriam. Some one, you say, desires to see me 

here. 
Lydia. The necromancer, whom you saw be- 

fore. 
Miriam. "What wishes he ? 
Lydia. He says that he has news 

Of great import. 
Miriam. (Aside.) Can it be possible 

That he knows aught? 
(To Lydia.) Well, let him enter here! 
(Exit Lydia at rear.) 
He can know naught. There's noth- 
ing in the tricks 
Of these soothsayers, save deceit. 
(Enter Simon disguised at rear door.) 

Come in! 
What would you have? I've scanty 

time to give, 
And none to waste upon your foolish- 
ness. 
(Simon beckons to two men outside, 
and they enter at rear, and stand 
near the door.) 
No, no; I do not wish to see your 
globe. 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



247 



If you have other business let me 

know, 
And let me go my way. 
{Simon advances, removes wig, beard, 
and glasses from eyes.) 
Simon. Look, Miriam! 

Miriam. So after all it's you. A serpent 

garbed 
In a new skin! My ears outstripped 
my eyes. 
Simon. I eome from Egypt. 

Miriam. Always worthless folk 

Come home again. 
Simon. You're wrong. By chance I saved 

The life of Egypt's priest, and in his 

home 
I am a welcome guest, and in his land 
I'm held in high esteem. 
Miriam. In high esteem ! 

Well, here you're not esteemed, and 

you may go 
To Egypt and your priest, where 
you're esteemed. 
Simon. I will go back again ; but I have come 

To take you with me to my chosen 
land. 
Miriam. Me, me! You've eaten of the lotus 
fruit, 



248 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



Until you dream the wild, fantastic 
dreams 

That lotus-eaters know. 
Simon. You do me wrong. 

I 've yearned for you wherever I have 
gone, 

As yearns the trav'ler for his child- 
hood's home. 

You're far more beautiful than when 
I left. 

The pomp of power, the luxury of 
life, 

The royal garb, fit for your state, all 
tend 

To make more tempting all your love- 
liness ; 

And I would have you for my own 
again. 
Miriam. Go, go! I would not look upon your 
face, 

Your hated face. 
Simon. You loved me, Miriam, 

When we were wed. 
Miriam. As if one could love you ! 

You are a cur, the vilest wretch e'er 
born. 

You sold me for a price, and now you 
come, 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



249 



Because I am in power, to vex my ears 
With loathsome words. Why, if it 

were a choice 
Between the wretch that dwells in 

lowest hell, 
In scorpions twined, and scarred with 

loathsome sores, 
And you, I'd choose that denizen of 

hell. 
Begone ! There 's some one waits. 
Simon. Your lover waits ; 

And he shall wait fore 'er, for you are 

mine. 
I'll pay him back his price, and end 

his claim. 
You are no empress. Your divorce 

holds not; 
'Twas a device, and you are still my 

wife. 
When I pay back the price you're 

mine again. 
My slaves are here, and they shall bear 

you hence. 
(Simon advances to her and grasps 
her left wrist; Miriam strikes him 
in the face with her right hand.) 
Miriam. You cur ! I '11 put a mark upon your 

face, 



250 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



That, if you had a drop of valiant 

blood 
Within your veins, would scorch you 

till your death. 
(Simon beckons his men, who ad- 

vance.) 
(Calling loudly,) Help, help! 
Charos. (Enters at rear hastily.) What ho, 

the guard, the guard ! 
(Charos advances; Simon drops Miri- 
am' } s wrist and draws his sword; 
Charos attacks Simon, who defends 
himself ; soldiers enter and attack 
and disarm Simon' } s two men; after 
a short struggle Charos stabs Simon 
with his sword; Simon falls against 
a table with sword still in his hand; 
Charos draws back; Miriam ad- 
vances close to Simon.) 
Miriam. (Sarcastically. ) 

There 's death writ in your eyes, upon 

your lips! 
I did not think you had the heart to 

stand 
Before a man. Yet e ? en a cur will 

turn 
When driven to the wall. You'll go 
alone 



ROMANTIC DRAMAS 



251 



To Egypt or elsewhere. What, not 

dead yet ! 

(Simon suddenly straightens up, and 

drives his sword through her body, 

and then falls to the ground dead. 

She puts hand to breast.) 

The glass ! The glass ! It is the end, 

the end ! 
(Miriam falls to the ground; Charos 
kneels down, and raises her in his 
arms; enter Emperor and Nered at 
rear.) 
Charos. Speak, Miriam, I beg ! 

Miriam. (Convulsively.) It is the end! 

(Miriam dies in arms of Charos.) 
Emperor. What means this frightful scene? 

(Pointing to Simon's body.) Who is 

that wretch? 
(To Charos.) 

You hold the Empress in your arms! 

Charos. (Looking up — sadly.) She's dead. 

(Charos and Miriam at centre front, 

he kneeling and her body resting in 

his arms; Simon's body on floor at 

left front; Emperor and Nered at 

right front; guards in charge of Si- 

mon's men at rear.) 

Curtain. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

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